in ottawa, 83 per cent of the population over 12 is now fully vaccinated. across the province, the rate is 80 per cent for people over 12. but health experts say herd immunity, which is 90 per cent or higher, would only be possible when children can be vaccinated.
in ottawa, there are 77,000 children in the 5-11 age group. while children, generally, get less sick with covid-19 than adults, especially older adults, some children do end up in hospital and become severely ill.
school age children have among the most contacts in the community because of the nature of schools and daycares.
in ottawa, there are now 18 covid-19 outbreaks in schools, including one in which 10 students and one staff member have tested positive.
local health officials have created take home test kits to help parents of school-aged children avoid lineups and long waits for covid-19 testing.
but there have been growing calls for rapid tests for school-age children — something the province provides free to businesses.
a group of parents at hopewell avenue public school in old ottawa south
hope to distribute rapid tests there, following parents in toronto who are doing the same thing.
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ottawa, like toronto, makes plans to vaccinate kids