Second wave of COVID-19 in Ottawa ‘100 per cent driven by human behaviour’: uOttawa epidemiologist | CTV News
OTTAWA–
An epidemiologist at the University of Ottawa states human behaviour is behind the spike in COVID-19 cases in Ottawa and the start of the second wave of the pandemic.
On Friday, Medical Officer of Health Dr. Vera Etches said Ottawa remains in the second wave of the pandemic, after people got a little too relaxed with COVID-19 avoidance procedures in August.
Speaking on Newstalk 580 CFRA’s “The Goods” Saturday morning. Dr. Raywat Deonandan said the spike in COVID-19 cases is the result of people not following the COVID-19 restrictions.
“This is pretty much 100 percent driven by human behaviour,” stated Dr. Deonandan.
“The illness never ever went away, it’s always been in specific individuals even throughout the summertime when the numbers were low. It’s just that the transmission rate decreased because people were gathering together closely sufficient to be infected.”
Dr. Deonandan included, “Now we’re gathering once again, schools are opening, people are going to parties, it’s cold, we’re gathering inside a bit more and as a result the opportunity for transmission is happening which leads to more infections.”
Ontario’s Ministry of Health reported 55 new cases of COVID-19 in Ottawa on Saturday, the 5th day today with a minimum of 50 brand-new cases of COVID-19.
Newstalk 580 CFRA’s Andrew Pinsent asked Dr. Deonandan his thoughts about Ottawa being in the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Second wave, these aren’t truly clinical terms. These are revivals in response to human behaviour and to the level that human behaviour has altered; it appears like the numbers are climbing up,” stated Dr. Deonandan.
“If anything is a second wave, this is most likely it.”
On Thursday, Ontario rolled back to the COVID-19 celebration limits in Ottawa to 10 people inside your home and 25 people outdoors. On Saturday, Premier Doug Ford extended the brand-new limitations to all areas of Ontario.
Dr. Deonandan says the only method for cases to decrease, is for people to change their behaviour.
“We talk about waves, individuals anticipate something innate to be part of the infection, like a fall seasonal patterns. And as well, you figure you wait out the wave, you ride the wave till it’s over. That’s not how it works,” stated Deonandan.
“The numbers decrease due to the fact that we did something. We went within, we distanced, we wore masks. The numbers are increasing again due to the fact that we’re out once again and we’re not following the procedures as carefully as we might or must and they will continue to go up till we do something else.”