UPDATE: This article has been updated to note one new COVID-19 case reported today in Collingwood, Wasaga Beach, and Clearview Township.
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The province has placed Collingwood and the rest of Simcoe County and Muskoka District into its orange 'restrict' category of COVID-19 control measures, which means some changes for residents and businesses.
Orange restrictions will be in place for at least 28 days. The region can't move down from the orange level, but it can move up within those 28 days, which means the restrictions will be in place until at least Dec. 21.
Collingwood and the region has been in the yellow control measure level since Nov. 7. However, cases in the region have been surging, particularly in the south end of Simcoe County (Bradford, Angus, New Tecumseth and Barrie). The growth of new cases, outbreaks, and limited capacity of the health unit and local hospitals to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic prompted the province to move the region up a level in its COVID-19 Response Framework.
The major differences between yellow and orange restrictions involve restaurants, bars, event spaces, casinos and other food and drink establishments, which are now required to close by 10 p.m. (from midnight in yellow and may only serve alcohol between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m.
Screening for COVID-19 symptoms and high-risk exposures is now a requirement for anyone entering any public or commercial building or space.
Only up to four people may sit together at a table for dining, which is down from six people in the yellow zone.
Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit's medical officer of health, Dr. Charles Gardner, has previously recommended only dining out with members of your immediate household.
Restrictions for fitness centres and recreation facilities are about the same from yellow to orange, but there are further restrictions on the number of people allowed in a building. In the orange level restrictions, there can only be 50 people in total in areas with weights and exercise machines and all classes. Only parents supervising children are permitted as spectators.
The health unit reported one new case in Collingwood today, a woman between 65 and 79 years old. The transmission source for her case is still under investigation.
On Friday, Nov. 20, the health unit confirmed a community-acquired case in Collingwood – a man between 65 and 79 years old.
There have been 23 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Collingwood residents.
The first case in a Collingwood resident was confirmed March 18, and was travel-related. There have been three travel-related cases, five close contact cases, four institutional outbreak cases, one still under investigation, and 10 community-acquired cases. No Collingwood residents have died from the virus.
Seven Collingwood cases have involved individuals between 45 and 64 years old, six cases involved individuals aged 65 to 79 years old, five cases involved individuals over the age of 80 years old, three cases involved individuals aged 18 to 34 years old, and there was one case involving an individual between 35 and 44 years old.
In neighbouring communities, more recent cases have been reported.
Grey Bruce Health Unit confirmed three new cases in The Blue Mountains this weekend, bringing the cumulative total for the municipality to 14 cases with four active cases. Grey Bruce Health Unit entered the yellow level of the provincial COVID-19 response framework.
New cases were also reported today in Clearview and Wasaga Beach.
In Clearview Township, there have been 34 confirmed cases in residents with 29 recovered, four currently self-isolating at home, and one death. The most recent case was reported Nov. 17.
In Wasaga Beach, there have been 35 COVID cases confirmed in residents with 31 recovered, three self-isolating, and one death.
The local COVID-19 assessment centre is located in the parking lot behind Collingwood Legion (490 Ontario Street). Appointments are required and can be booked online via www.gbfht.ca.
