The Grey Bruce Health Unit's medical officer of health has declared a community outbreak in eastern Grey County after a spike of COVID cases in Meaford and The Blue Mountains.
According to a news release from the health unit this afternoon, there are 21 confirmed cases plus "a significant number" of probable cases and high-risk contacts related to the community outbreak. The health unit has also identified variant cases as part of the outbreak.
"This outbreak is widespread but is centred in the communities of Thornbury, Clarksburg, and Meaford and spills into neighbouring Simcoe County," states the news release.
According to medical officer of health, Dr. Ian Arra, the sources of transmission are individuals not following emergency brake orders by visiting others when symptomatic as well as large social gatherings and "bush parties."
"The issue worsened by individuals being untruthful to public health contact tracing and case management inquiries," stated the news release.
Arra has asked all residents in the Grey Bruce Health Unit area to behave as though they are carrying COVID and stay home for 48 hours.
He also issued an order under the health protection and promotion act to further reinforce the requirement to follow direction from public health case managers.
Public health staff have been redeployed to case and contact management in Grey Bruce.
