Message from Dr. Hsiu-Li Wang for St. Patrick's Day

March 16, 2021
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It has been a challenging year and I am very appreciative of all the efforts students have been making to protect yourself, your friends, fellow students, and Waterloo Region as well. Spring is around the corner and while there is much to celebrate we must continue practicing public health measures.

COVID-19 can spread easily when we have close contact with others. The infectious period for COVID-19 begins 48 hours before you develop symptoms or 48 hours before you were tested if you had no symptoms when you were tested. What this means is that you can unknowingly spread COVID-19 before you know you have COVID-19. This is why it is essential that we all continue to practice public health measures. We continue to advise all residents to:

  • Avoid all social gatherings with anyone not in your immediate household.
  • Limit non-essential trips outside your home (e.g. work, school, getting food).
  • Practice physical distancing.
  • Wear a face covering.
  • Wash your hands often.
  • Avoid enclosed, poorly ventilated spaces and crowded places.
  • Stay home when you are sick and seek testing.

The more we all practice these measures, the more successful we will be at slowing the spread of COVID-19 in our community. Each of you can and has made a difference. Your actions matter and truly impact our community at large.

To protect your friends, your family, and your community, I am advising all residents, to avoid all social gatherings with anyone whom you do not live with. This St. Patrick’s Day, please plan to celebrate virtually instead.

We have come along way, and our cases rates have slowed from their highest point in early January, but COVID-19 is still circulating in our community and while case rates are stable at this time, they remains at high levels.

Let’s keep practicing these public health measures and keep moving in the right direction.

Thank you for all of your efforts.

Dr. Hsiu-Li Wang
Commissioner and Medical Officer of Health
Region of Waterloo Public Health & Emergency Services