The Grey Bruce Health Unit (GBHU) has reported 10 new cases of COVID-19 over the past two days, including two new cases in the Town of the Blue Mountains.
The new cases are located in the municipality of Owen Sound (4), Blue Mountains (2), Chatsworth, (2), Arran Elderslie (1) and the Northern Bruce Peninsula (1).
The health unit has reported a total of 754 cases in the region to date, and notes there are 29 active cases in both counties combined.
GBHU is also reporting the region has had a total of 18 cases of Variants of Concern (VOC), eight of which are active.
The health unit has had two deaths related to COVID-19, and there are currently three individuals being hospitalized due to COVID in the region at this time.
The health unit also noted on Saturday that it is working with the Grey Bruce Health Services to address cases of COVID-19 associated with four patients at the Owen Sound hospital.
The hospital outbreak is currently contained to one floor and public health measures are in place to mitigate the risk of transmission, including lockdown and visitor restrictions. GBHU has stated there is no additional risk to the public.
In addition, GBHU is also investigating a possible outbreak related to a pub located at 1005 2nd Ave. East in Owen Sound.
Currently, there is no evidence of transmission of COVID-19 between patrons within the bar. However, there is a potential risk of transmission to patrons who attended at the bar on the evenings of Wednesday, March 17, and Thursday March 18.
Public health is advising anyone who visited the pub on those evenings to seek testing at the nearest COVID-19 assessment centre any date between March 25 and March 27. While Public Health has directly contacted the individuals identified as close contacts, there remain unknown patrons who visited the bar on these dates.
Individuals tested in connection with this investigation are not required to isolate but should limit their activities to essential outings until they have received a negative result.
The patrons' risk is limited to those who visited the premise on the identified evenings. There is no additional risk to individuals who attended the bar on any other day. The facility remains open and is working with public health to ensure all patrons' and staff's safety.
Active cases in Grey County are currently located in Owen Sound (7), Southgate (5), Grey Highlands (1), the Town of The Blue Mountains (5), and Meaford (1), Chatsworth (2).
The health unit is currently tracking 94 high-risk contacts associated with active cases.
Of GBHU’s 754 cumulative cases, 723 cases are resolved.
Resolved COVID-19 cases in Grey County include: Owen Sound (115); Southgate (94); Grey Highlands (70); West Grey (49); Blue Mountains (51); Hanover (46); Meaford (25); Georgian Bluffs (7); Chatsworth (10).
To-date GBHU has currently administered 18,871 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. This week, the health unit has focused its vaccine distribution on residents over the age of 80, First Nations communities and high priority healthcare workers.
Those turning 80 this year or older, born 1941 or earlier, can make appointments through the provincial online booking system for COVID-19 vaccinations at https://ontario.ca/bookvaccine. Those without access to the internet can call the toll-free number 1-888-999-6488.
For additional information on the health unit’s vaccine roll out program, visit the GBHU website.
