GREY-BRUCE – Dr. Ian Arra, Grey-Bruce medical officer of health, is echoing provincial recommendations for all employers in the region to allow staff to work from home wherever it’s possible.
Where it isn’t, Arra urges caution. Workplaces should take precautions to keep staff and customers safe, including people staying home if they’re sick or test positive for COVID.
Signs must be posted at all entrances informing people to screen themselves before entry.
Proof of vaccination should be enforced where required. In addition, distancing, masks and hand hygiene are required. Additional information is available on the Grey Bruce Public Health website.
Earlier this week, a health unit communication addressed the rising number of cases, stating the chain of transmission has started mainly with young people under 18 years of age in connection with organized sports. Another trend is transmission starting with people who attended school, sports or childcare while having symptoms.
Arra noted in the communication that it’s evident “in all current investigations … the increased risk of both infection and transmission in individuals who are not vaccinated.”
One suspected case of the Omicron variant is under investigation in Grey-Bruce but had not been confirmed as of press time.
As of Dec. 13, there were 13 new cases of COVID reported in the previous 24 hours including three in Owen Sound.
There are now 93 active cases including over 900 active high-risk contacts. Three people are hospitalized.
Schools reporting COVID-19 cases include Owen Sound District Secondary School, Saugeen District Secondary School and John Diefenbaker Senior School.
The Bluewater District School Board reports 10 confirmed cases in Bluewater board schools and facilities.
The outbreak at Holland Chatsworth Community School is declared over, but other schools have been added to the list: Timothy Christian School, St. Mary’s High School (which has switched to on-line learning), École Dominique-Savio, and Mildmay-Carrick Public School.
The health unit has held drive-through testing clinics in Owen Sound this week; Brockton Mayor Chris Peabody described the line of cars as quite disturbing.
The best defence against the virus continues to be vaccination. That’s a major concern for Peabody, who noted the difficulty people are having arranging for booster shots of COVID vaccine. In light of the rising numbers of people sick with COVID and the increased urgency for getting vaccinated, he questioned whether pharmacies should be responsible for keeping up with the demand, something he plans to ask about at the next board of health meeting. He suggested the Cargill Community Centre as a good place to hold a vaccination clinic.
While Arra has been looking at the possibility of limiting sporting events in the area to limit the spread of COVID, Peabody notes Kingston, which he described as “ground zero” for the present spike, has been imposing limits on gatherings at restaurants and restricting the sale of alcohol.
