While COVID-19 still circulates globally, people are now (mostly) able to travel around freely, dine inside restaurants, and attend major sporting events as they please.
But it wasn’t that long ago, the threat of a new virus thrust the world into lockdown.
Saturday marks three years since the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a global pandemic. The declaration announced by the organization’s Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on March 11, 2020, came as there were more than 118,000 cases of COVID-19 with the virus confirmed in 114 countries, claiming 4,291 lives. Ghebreyesus said the WHO was deeply concerned by the startling extent of virus spread and severity.
Since then more than 759 million people worldwide have been infected and over 6.8 million people have died, including more than 51,000 in Canada. In the London region, 48,725 cases of COVID-19 have been recorded over the past three years, with 527 locals succumbing to the virus to-date.
Three years later the pandemic is not over. However, nearly all of the restrictions that were put in place to limit the virus’ spread have been lifted. One of the few that remain is a requirement that all travellers coming to Canada from China, Hong Kong or Macao show proof of a negative COVID test. In a very limited number of spots, such as hospitals, face coverings are still mandatory. As well, health officials continue to urge people to wash their hands frequently and stay home when sick.
The turning point that set Canada on the path back to normalcy came in December 2020 when Health Canada officially approved the use of the Pfizer and Moderna coronavirus vaccines. It set off a mass vaccination effort, the likes of which had never been seen.
The Middlesex London Health Unit, which established mass vaccination centres, held pop-up clinics, took part in the province’s mobile bus-based vax clinic, and partnered with pharmacies and other healthcare providers, was able to get nearly 94 per cent of residents to complete their primary series of vaccinations.
“I am proud of how our community responded and how our team at the Middlesex-London Health Unit was able to meet this generational challenge,” Dr. Alex Summers, the region’s medical officer of health, said in a statement issued ahead of the three year anniversary. “As we reflect on the struggles of the pandemic, there is also so much to be grateful for. Thank you to our staff for the care they provided to those who became ill and to their families. Thank you to our community, health system and municipal partners for tirelessly working alongside us. And thank you to Middlesex and London residents for doing your part, including participating in the unprecedented vaccination effort.”
Health officials have recommended residents receive booster doses of the COVID-19 vaccine every six months.
