Category: Grey-Bruce Health Unit
Ontario expands booster eligibility as rising infections cause staff shortages and outbreaks locally
Eligibility for the fourth dose of the COVID-19 vaccine is expanding in Ontario while rising transmission rates are affecting staffing at area hospitals and outbreaks at long-term care homes are increasing. People over 60 as well as First Nations, Inuit and Métis individuals and their non-Indigenous household members aged 18 and over are now eligible […]
Meaford ends state of emergency, daily COVID reports come to an end
The Municipality of Meaford has joined a growing list of Grey-Bruce municipalities in ending its state of emergency as the province is set to lift COVID-19 mask mandates and restrictions in the coming weeks. The World Health Organization declared a global pandemic over two years ago on March 11, 2020. The Municipality of Meaford declared […]
Masks still recommended in tightly-packed places after mandates lift
Masks will no longer be mandated in most settings as of March 21, but there is a case to be made for face coverings both in the near future and a post-pandemic world, Grey-Bruce’s medical officer of health said Thursday. Dr. Ian Arra said distance is the most effective way to reduce the spread of […]
COVID-19: MOH supports province’s decision to drop mask mandate in most settings
The provincial government is scrapping mask mandates in most settings as of March 21 and looking to do away with remaining COVID-19 regulations by the end of April. Ontario’s chief medical officer of health announced the impending changes to COVID-19 protocols in a media conference Wednesday. Grey-Bruce’s medical officer of health said Wednesday he supported […]
COVID: infection and hospitalization trends steady in region
The Grey Bruce Health Unit reported 50 new COVID-19 cases over the weekend, though the health unit specified new cases currently only reflect infection in those eligible for testing. They do however, the health unit said, provide an accurate representation of transmission trends in the community. The seven-day average of daily new cases in Grey-Bruce […]
COVID update: workplace vaccination, self-isolation change, 43rd death
The Grey Bruce Health Unit has modified its recommendation from last July to employers to require proof of vaccination among their employees in non-essential service, due to improving pandemic indicators. Instead of recommending requiring vaccination, it’s now merely “encouraging” employee vaccination, particularly third doses, Arra said in an interview Friday. He said he didn’t know […]
Three fewer local COVID patients reported Saturday
Grey Bruce Health Unit reported 10 residents are hospitalized due to COVID-19, one of whom is being treated outside Grey-Bruce. That’s three fewer in hospital than was reported Friday. There are now five long-term care or retirement homes with outbreaks, one fewer than Friday. Local COVID deaths remain at 41. The now-abbreviated daily health unit […]
COVID update: Family Day advice, a new death, restrictions ease
Anticipating Family Day gatherings this long weekend, the Grey-Bruce medical officer of health is asking people not to let their guard down just yet. Dr. Ian Arra noted the provincial government’s accelerated easing of public health precautions took effect Thursday and people are “itching to gather this weekend and get back to normal.” In a […]
COVID: province set to ease restrictions Thursday
The Grey Bruce Health Unit said Wednesday its daily situation reports will soon be modified to “further reflect changes earlier this year to testing protocols as well as the status of the pandemic locally”. “Communicating the positive trends at this stage of transitioning from pandemic to endemic phase is an important part of managing risk […]
COVID: outbreak at Rockwood Terrace declared over by health unit
A COVID-19 outbreak at Rockwood Terrace long-term care home in Durham declared just before Christmas is now over. The Grey Bruce Health Unit declared the outbreak over on Friday. It was first declared on Dec. 23. Three local long-term care and retirement homes remain with ongoing COVID-19 outbreaks. They are Kelso Pines in Owen Sound, […]