In an effort to make it easier to administer more COVID-19 vaccines, Waterloo region has opened up their online appointment booking system.
This news comes as public health officials are expecting more groups of individuals to become eligible for the vaccine, such as children between the ages of five and eleven and those who can receive a booster dose. People with solid organ transplants or moderate to severe primary immunodeficiency, or people taking immunosuppressants.
This week, residents will need an appointment to get a second or third dose at their local vaccination clinic. Those who need a first dose will be exempted.
A spokesperson for the Waterloo Regional Police confirmed that two officers have been placed on unpaid leave for not following COVID-19 instituted the service.
While the actions of the officers are unnoted, those who are unvaccinated at the service are required to produce a negative test every 48 hours and take part in an education session. Currently, 94 per cent of all officers and 94.5 per cent of civilian staff are fully vaccinated.
Last week, local public health officials declared a COVID-19 outbreak at Cornerstone Christian School in Wellesley. As of Friday, approximately seven cases had been linked to the outbreak, and the school has been voluntarily closed since Oct. 20.
As of Nov. 3, Waterloo health officials have confirmed 20,123 total cases of COVID-19, and approximately 140 cases are considered active. There have been 303 COVID-related deaths in the region.
Kaitlyn Severin
Student Journalist of the Year - JHM award winner, Kaitlyn has worked previously as The Cord’s senior news editor. She’s also published articles for VICE and Shameless.