COVID-19 cases are now falling in Canada, but health officials are worried that a second wave might hit the country given that fall and winter seasons are just around the corner. The good thing is that a second wave is not yet sure to happen. Last year, the global pandemic also began to spread during the flu season at the start of autumn. But this year, the country’s health agencies and the people are more on their guard.
In Ontario, the province is bracing for a possible second wave of infection. According to the Canadian Mental Health Association, a survey showed that most Ontarians are frightened of a second surge in COVID-19 cases. Health experts and authorities are saying that they can use whatever knowledge and understanding they learned during the first six months of combating the novel coronavirus to avoid another surge.
But what can Ontarians do to avoid the dreaded second wave? Here are five things to take note of:
- Have a faster response time. During the first few months of the first wave, key decisions that were needed to set the direction towards fighting COVID-19 took too long. Although this was understandable since all countries were looking at each other on what the best decisions might be, this must not happen again. The Registered Nurses’ Association encourages Ontarians to act with more urgency when dealing with a second major surge of cases. Having the same timid way of addressing the situation will most likely result in the same circumstances. So if Ontarians want to avoid the second wave, citizens and the authorities must think fast and follow protocols faithfully.
2. Boost community care to accommodate possible cases. The first wave of the global pandemic left Ontario with a huge backlog of canceled surgeries and patient tests and hospitals are still catching up. The onslaught of the virus affected elderly homes at the start, with nursing homes for the aged had the most fatalities. COVID-19 is unforgiving to those who are immunocompromised, the elderly, and the pregnant. Primary care providers have to prepare for the second wave, otherwise, we will be seeing the same scenario again. Some health authorities see the response integration between hospitals, community, and long term elderly homes as a solution to this. Authorities must boost community care if we want to decongest hospitals.
3. Using current knowledge about the virus to stop future waves. In the past six months, we have come to understand bits and pieces about the novel coronavirus – where it came from, its symptoms, how it thrives, and how it spreads. With the data available, Ontarians can now react fast to surging cases and treat patients more effectively. So far, experts have learned that the COVID-19 is an unusual ailment and it presents different symptoms of varying severity in different age groups and populations. One of the most surprising symptoms was the loss of smell and taste. The world also learned about asymptomatic transmission of the disease. The transmission was observed via droplets or aerosol (given proper conditions). There was also possible transmission reported through feces and touching of surfaces which initially brought confusion and concerns as to how the disease could be handled. Now that it has been properly established that the main mode of virus transfer is by droplets and aerosols, health authorities all over the world can just concentrate on preventive measures that control droplet transmission.
4. Be self-sustaining when it comes to providing personal protective equipment (PPE) supplies. One problem that became obvious at the start of the pandemic is the supply chain issue for PPE. This is a problem not only for Ontario but also for Canada. The country has relied on other countries for PPE supplies. The problem with this process is that the country on the receiving end does not have control over these supplies. Canada, in a way, is at the mercy of these suppliers. For the country to efficiently overcome a second wave, it must develop its own PPE supply chain. The same is true for vaccines.
5. Support public health services.
Putting more money in public health services can be an investment for Ontarians to ensure that the province is prepared for any incoming surge. Countries around the world have now realized the error of putting too much budget on infrastructure and too little on public health care. Investing in health is the most important response that can be done after COVID-19. Fortunately, Canada has taken a proactive stance by putting funding on virtual health care too. Putting up online clinics have saved Canadians during the duration of lockdowns and quarantines by giving them an option to see a doctor without physically leaving their homes. With virtual healthcare, if you cannot visit a walk in clinic Hamilton, you can still find a doctor after a few clicks on your mobile phone, tablet, or computer.
Together, Ontarians can prevent a second major spread in the province.