[1/20]: The Science Table completes its work this week. As our final work we are releasing our largest brief, a focus on the core of all health systems: primary care. [2/20] This three-part series looks at primary care during the pandemic and outlines challenges and lessons learned: covid19-sciencetable.ca/science-briefs/

(1/7) We released a new Science Brief today on infection prevention and control considerations for schools during the 2022-23 academic year. Read it here: covid19-sciencetable.ca/sciencebrief/i… (2/7) In-person schooling is essential for children and youth for both educational attainment and the development of social, emotional growth and life skills.

We have likely entered a wave driven by the Omicron BA.5 subvariant.

Key Messages:
- The rise in hospitalizations will likely be smaller than earlier waves, but our hospitals are already very strained.
(1/17) Key Messages (Cont'd):
- You can be re-infected by BA.5 even if you have recently been infected with an earlier strain.
- Non severe infections can still be disruptive to your life and increase long COVID risk.
(2/17)

(1/8) We released a new Science Brief today on the impact of physical activity on mental health outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Read it here: covid19-sciencetable.ca/sciencebrief/t… (2/8) Physical activity, sedentary behaviour and mental health status worsened among Canadians during the COVID-19 pandemic.

(1/11) We released new COVID-19 modelling for Ontario today. Key findings: we are well into wave 6 driven by highly transmissible BA.2 subvariant, waning immunity and lifting of public health measures. Follow this thread for more results covid19-sciencetable.ca/sciencebrief/u… (2/11) There is significant uncertainty around the impact of case growth on our health system and deaths.

1/5 New @COVIDSciOntario brief released today ‘Increased Screen Time for Children
and Youth During the COVID-19  Pandemic’ led by the Mental Health Working Group covid19-sciencetable.ca/sciencebrief/i… 2/5 The brief includes global & Ontario data gathered during the pandemic showing sharp increases in screen time for children & youth, especially during the closures of in-person learning and recreation.

1/10 New @COVIDSciOntario modelling released today. Key findings: We‘ll likely see a bump in hospitalization as public health measures cease – probably less than in January if we change behaviours slowly. #COVID19ON covid19-sciencetable.ca/sciencebrief/u… 2/10 Slides 3 & 4: Wastewater signal isn’t dropping anymore. Ontario is probably seeing 15,000 to 20,000 new infections every day. #COVID19ON

1/7 New slide deck released today “Ask Ontario’s Science Table: Omicron Edition” covid19-sciencetable.ca/sciencebrief/a… which answers questions on how to stay safe and protect our communities this holiday season. Share, screenshot & print. 2/7 Given sharply increasing case counts and the transmissibility of Omicron, consider postponing gatherings, moving them outdoors or virtual. If you do gather, keep it as small as possible and use multiple layers of protection to stay safe.

1/10 Today's Omicron briefing . A 5-pt plan to blunt Omicron (slide 16): (1) Cut contacts by 50%; (2) acc boosters to HCW & vulnerable; (3) masking, distancing & ventilation (4) put treatments where they are most needed; (5) act now. #COVID19ON covid19-sciencetable.ca/sciencebrief/u… 2/10 Slide 4 & 5: Cases are rising across Ontario & Omicron will be dominant this week. #COVID19ON covid19-sciencetable.ca/sciencebrief/u…

1/4 Pls take note: Omicron Rt is now 4.29. Every person with Omicron is infecting more than four other people. By comparison, anyone with Delta in Ontario currently infects only 1 other person. #COVID19ON covid19-sciencetable.ca/ontario-dashbo… 2 / 4 Omicron is doubling in Ontario every three days. Every. Three. Days. We have no evidence that this is a less severe form of COVID-19. #COVID19ON covid19-sciencetable.ca/ontario-dashbo…

Omicron is here 1/5 We’re now following Omicron closely on our dashboard. Some key figures: Rt for Omicron is 3.32 (!!!), compared to 1.27 for all variants combined…. #COVID19ON covid19-sciencetable.ca/ontario-dashbo… Omicron is here 2/5: Just. Look. #COVID19ON covid19-sciencetable.ca/ontario-dashbo…

We’ve just released new COVID modeling. We’ll take you through it in eight tweets. You can get the deck here: covid19-sciencetable.ca/sciencebrief/u… #COVID19ON Slides 3/4/5: We’re walking a narrow ledge. Positivity down but not consistently across ages & 19/34 PHUs have growing cases. We’re ok for now, but we have no wiggle room. #COVID19ON covid19-sciencetable.ca/sciencebrief/u…

There appear to be some rumours that the Science Advisory Table is withholding a consensus model of COVID-19 in the Fall. To be absolutely clear, that is not true. Pls read thread 1/4 We are now working to understand how COVID-19 may affect Ontario in coming months. As always, that means integrating the views arising from *many* models done by *many* teams and reviewing those results *across* teams until we generate a reasonable, scientific consensus. 2/4

1/5 Ontario’s prescription: Vaccinate twice & stay patient. Vaccines are working – Rt is 0.75, but as mobility surges, we have to be patient with re-opening. Let’s stick with the plan… #COVID19ON covid19-sciencetable.ca/ontario-dashbo… 2/5 Ontario’s prescription: Wait for the data… Infection & hospitalization are lagging indicators. We’ll only know by next week whether Phase 1 re-opening (two weeks ago) drove more infections or hospitalization. #COVID19ON covid19-sciencetable.ca/ontario-dashbo…

1/7 Infections are dropping in more places than they are growing – positive direction even in Peel & Toronto. This is the beginning of a good trend… #COVID19Ontario covid19-sciencetable.ca/wp-content/upl… 2 / 7 ICUs are still overstretched & our hospitals are still under extreme stress – so we’re not out of the woods. We have to protect our health care system… #COVID19Ontario covid19-sciencetable.ca/wp-content/upl…

1/6 Ontario needs EFFECTIVE sick leave. Looks like this: 1. You call your employer, 2. Employer keeps paying you (enough) 3. Government pays employer (fully) 4. You get better and go back to work. #COVID19Ontario covid19-sciencetable.ca/sciencebrief/b… 2/6 Ontario needs EFFECTIVE sick leave to protect employees & businesses. It reduces absenteeism, increases productivity (by preventing workplace outbreaks) & supports businesses – especially sm biz w/ tight cash flow – through COVID. #COVID19Ontario covid19-sciencetable.ca/sciencebrief/b…