Western University microbiologist Eric Arts said Ontario’s wastewater in particular is showing an increase in virus samples, but with reduced reporting and limited testing across much of the country, the full picture is hazy.
As CBC News recently reported, research shows a majority of the population has developed some level of immunity against SARS-CoV-2, thanks to high rates of vaccination and three-quarters of Canadians likely having detectable antibodies linked to prior infections.
But while many individuals’ immune systems are now better trained to recognize this threat, reducing rates of serious illness and death over the course of the pandemic, the level of protection needed to avoid another infection in the first place can fade over time.
The challenges stemming from another wave would hit Canada on multiple fronts, said infectious diseases specialist Dr. Donald Vinh, an associate professor in McGill University’s department of medicine.
Booster shots could shore up Canadians’ immunity this fall, particularly as drug makers have adapted their vaccines to better match currently circulating strains, but Vinh cautioned the “cycles are not in sync.”
Even at this point, however, Colijn stressed we’re in a better place than the U.S. heading into the fall, given the higher levels of vaccine uptake in Canada over the last few years — so a spike in cases mirroring the surge south of the border isn’t inevitable.
The original article contains 1,059 words, the summary contains 224 words. Saved 79%. I’m a bot and I’m open source!
This is the best summary I could come up with:
Western University microbiologist Eric Arts said Ontario’s wastewater in particular is showing an increase in virus samples, but with reduced reporting and limited testing across much of the country, the full picture is hazy.
As CBC News recently reported, research shows a majority of the population has developed some level of immunity against SARS-CoV-2, thanks to high rates of vaccination and three-quarters of Canadians likely having detectable antibodies linked to prior infections.
But while many individuals’ immune systems are now better trained to recognize this threat, reducing rates of serious illness and death over the course of the pandemic, the level of protection needed to avoid another infection in the first place can fade over time.
The challenges stemming from another wave would hit Canada on multiple fronts, said infectious diseases specialist Dr. Donald Vinh, an associate professor in McGill University’s department of medicine.
Booster shots could shore up Canadians’ immunity this fall, particularly as drug makers have adapted their vaccines to better match currently circulating strains, but Vinh cautioned the “cycles are not in sync.”
Even at this point, however, Colijn stressed we’re in a better place than the U.S. heading into the fall, given the higher levels of vaccine uptake in Canada over the last few years — so a spike in cases mirroring the surge south of the border isn’t inevitable.
The original article contains 1,059 words, the summary contains 224 words. Saved 79%. I’m a bot and I’m open source!