COVID-19 outbreak at Toronto Western Hospital likely linked to Delta variant

Toronto Western Hospital has confirmed a COVID-19 outbreak believed to be fuelled by the Delta variant that has affected people who had received a single dose or two doses of vaccines.

The hospital says a total of five patients and three staff members have tested positive since the outbreak was declared on June 17 and a majority of the cases are “more than likely the Delta variant.”

“Confirmation of the variant involved will be available in upcoming weeks. The good news is that the cases so far are mild – the bad news is that the people have been infected even when vaccinated,” said Gillian Howard, Vice-President, Public Affairs and Communications at Western Hospital.

Howard told the Toronto Star that the symptoms have been mild and that the patients who tested positive were in the hospital for non-virus-related reasons.

With the Delta variant quickly becoming the dominant COVID-19 strain in Ontario, Howard says “it has never been more important – even when vaccinated – to continue to follow hospital infection prevention and control and public health measures.”

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“… We are sending this information to you so that you can encourage family and friends to get vaccinated, use public health measures, and support the vaccination efforts of Team Toronto,” she added.

“It is discouraging that the Delta variant can infect those already vaccinated but critical that we continue with our vaccination efforts so that we can avoid hospitalizations from COVID-19 infections.”

A COVID-19 outbreak is declared when there is evidence of transmission of the disease within the hospital on a single unit.

The outbreak at Toronto Western Hospital acts as an important example of why it’s integral for people in the city – and across Ontario – to get fully vaccinated.

The Alpha variant, first detected in the UK sometime last year, is 50 per cent more transmissible than the original COVID-19 strain, and the Delta variant, first detected in India, is at least 40 per cent more transmissible than Alpha, which was once the dominant strain in Ontario.

A recent study in the United Kingdom found that two doses of the Pfizer vaccine are 96 per cent effective against the Delta variant at preventing severe COVID-19 requiring hospitalization.

In contrast, one dose offers roughly 34 per cent protection against the Delta strain.

Ahead of Ontario’s first stage of reopening, Peel Region’s top doctor said science shows that only 33 to 50 per cent protection is afforded against the Delta variant with one dose.

“That protection may not be enough to forestall a resurgence if we reopen and reengage too quickly.”

The province says that there are 887 cumulative cases of the Delta variant as of Monday.

Over 75 per cent of adults in Ontario have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and 24 per cent are fully immunized.

In Toronto, the city says it has administered three million vaccines to date with more than 30 per cent of residents fully inoculated.

The city will be running a one-day vaccination clinic at Scotiabank Arena on Sunday with hopes of breaking a single-day vaccination record by administering more than 10,000 doses.