Private parties are the main culprit behind the recent increase in COVID-19 cases in Grey County, according to the Medical Officer of Health (MOH) for Grey Bruce Health Unit (GBHU).
“We have seen that the majority of recent cases have come from private settings – parties with family and friends – this is where the transmission is happening,” said Dr. Ian Arra, MOH for GBHU.
According to Arra, even the cases that have been identified in various workplaces in the region were traced back to a private setting, a private party, or a private gathering.
"If we step back and look at the stats in Grey and Bruce, we're seeing people coming over from other areas for work, we're seeing people coming sometimes to spend the weekend, and we're seeing people who are coming to visit people, their friends, their family. Out of these three categories, in general, it's only the third one, the visits to family and friends where people are fatigued or lowering their guard, that's where the transmission is happening," Arra said.
And, despite the common notion that COVID-19 cases are being brought to the region from others travelling from high-risk areas, Arra encourages members of the public to stay focused on their own environments and interactions.
“It's easy to say, let's restrict travel from other areas and that's going to keep us safe. Well, as long as each one of us is taking care of our own setting, our own person, our own business - whether people come from a different area or not - it's not as important,” he said, noting that GBHU continues to discourage travel to or from other high-risk regions.
Currently GBHU remains the Public Health Classification Level of yellow or protect.
And, while other regions have recently moved into increased restrictions, Arra says GBHU might be heading in the other direction.
“If the public continues doing what they're doing, being engaged and concerned, I suspect we're going to be at the green level in a week or two,” Arra stated.
According to Arra, the region saw an increase in COVID-19 cases over the past six weeks, but notes there has been a positive shift in recent weeks.
“We've seen a change in attitude, the types of questions we receive and the concerned engagement from the public. That really leads to change in behaviour and change in numbers,” he said. “Over the past 10 days, I would say the numbers have not increased, but rather slightly decreased.”
As of Dec. 14, the GBHU has had a total of 402 COVID-19 cases, with 350 recovered and 20 cases referred to other health units.
Currently the region has 32 active cases and 208 high-risk contacts associated with those active cases.
As we move further into the holiday season, Arra urges the public to remain vigilant.
“It is on every one of us to ensure that transmission doesn’t happen through us, or in a setting that we can control,” Arra said. “Traditionally this is the time for family and friends. But, I would urge all of us to try to celebrate the days and weeks ahead with our immediate household. Let's sacrifice this year to be able to celebrate next year and years to come.”
Lab-confirmed COVID-19 cases in Grey County include - Owen Sound (72); Southgate (63); Grey Highlands (52); West Grey (23); Meaford (15); Blue Mountains (20); Hanover (16); Georgian Bluffs (2); Chatsworth (2).
