Chatham-Kent's top public health official says all options are on the table if there is another COVID-19 lockdown in our future.
Chatham-Kent Medical Officer of Health Dr. David Colby said he's extremely worried about a fourth wave because provincial case numbers keep rising. Colby added he's happy with the low number of local active cases, which stands at 11 active cases after two new cases were reported on Thursday. He noted that local vaccination rates keep inching up to the 90 plus per cent level, which he wants to reach to achieve herd immunity in Chatham-Kent, but convincing the remainder of the local population who haven't gotten the two doses yet to get vaccinated remains difficult. Dr. Colby said vaccination figures have gone from 2,000 a day in their peak earlier this year to about 200 daily currently.
Colby said full hospitals and Intensive Care Units will be the trigger for another possible lockdown. The doctor noted the Delta variant of COVID-19 is among the most contagious of all diseases.
Mayor Darrin Canniff said it's up to us what direction we want to take.
"Our fate is in our hands," said the mayor. "The solution is there (COVID-19 vaccine) and all we have to do is grab it."
Premier Doug Ford has not ruled out another lockdown if provincial COVID-19 cases keep rising.
Colby also said Quebec is showing tremendous leadership and foresight by approving mandatory COVID-19 passports. He said he has brought the idea of COVID-19 passports up to the province, but Premier Ford insists passports and proof of vaccination will split society.
Colby noted the passports are not about restricting people, but rather keeping people safe.
Many are questioning why officials don't restrict or punish those who are unvaccinated because this pandemic is now being called a pandemic of the unvaccinated.
Colby said he understands why people are angry with a minority of the population determining whether there's another wave of COVID-19 and perhaps another lockdown. He hopes that science and common sense prevails but added that maybe social pressure will motivate people to get vaccinated. He said public pressure worked very well when it came to adhering to masking requirements.
He also said a major hurdle with mandatory COVID-19 passports and proof of vaccination is having a secure and private way to verify that people have been vaccinated.
"We live in a democracy where the majority rules but we respect the rights of minorities," said Colby.