May 19 COVID-19 Update

As of Tuesday, anyone in Ontario who is 18 and older can now book their COVID-19 vaccine appointment.

The same day, Waterloo Region opened pre-registration for the vaccine to anyone 12 years and older. In their news release from May 11, the Region reported that pre-registration is now expanding locally due to “a stable and reliable vaccine supply” in the province.

Currently, Ontario is only offering the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines to those receiving their first dose. Last week, the province announced they would halt the distribution of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine due to growing concerns over its link to rare blood clots. 

Those between the ages of 12 – 17 in the Region will be receiving the Pfizer vaccine for their first dose. 

Public health officials at the Region of Waterloo have also reported that over 250,000 doses of vaccines have now been administered to residents, with 50 per cent of eligible residents over the ages of 18 expected to have received at least one dose by the end of May 19.

More vaccine doses are expected to be delivered to the Region this month and into June.

Residents of Kitchener are concerned about the size of crowds at local parks, despite the province’s extended stay-at-home order.

According to reports, hundreds of people were walking around Victoria Park in Kitchener last Thursday. While outdoor spaces are still open to the public, Ontario health officials have asked residents to only gather with people from their household and to maintain at least two metres away from others.

This comes after reports that the officials of the Region issued around 12 enforcement actions during the month of May. These tickets—which carry a fine of $880—were given to residents who failed to comply with COVID-19 restrictions. Two tickets were issued for large public gatherings at Victoria Park.