Grey Bruce COVID-19 case counts dip after surge in infections
The sudden surge in COVID-19 infections in Grey and Bruce counties last week has started to dip back down as the health unit reports 13 new cases Monday.
Last week, the region reached case highs not seen since mid-April.
"Around 40 cases per day is very significant compared to our baseline of about five cases per day," said the region's medical officer of health, Dr. Ian Arra. "Since then, we've seen the numbers going and then going down again and stabilizing again. Now we are about 10 per day."
According to Dr. Arra, several factors contributed to the spike in cases, including the Delta variant, which quickly spread through vulnerable groups of people and their close contacts, and an outbreak on the Saugeen First Nation.
Dr. Arra said it took a joint effort to contain the virus.
"We worked with partners to ensure the cases and high-risk contacts were well supported through a proper isolation," he stated.
GETTING VACCINATED
The health unit is ramping up vaccination efforts with mass immunization clinics in Hanover and Owen Sound.
The clinics include some walk-ins, which require no appointment to make getting vaccinated as easy and convenient as possible.
Ontario is increasing the supply in Grey Bruce from 8,000 doses per week to 25,000.
Dr. Arra said with the supply and support from the province, all that's left is for residents to roll up their sleeves. "We are just waiting for people to show up at our clinics."
The medical officer of health hopes that more than 70 per cent of the eligible population can be fully vaccinated with both doses sometime this month.
Meanwhile, the Owen Sound Hockey Hub mass clinic is relocating to Owen Sound District Secondary School on 9th Street West effective Thursday.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
What to know about avian influenza in dairy cows and the risk to humans
Why is H5N1, or bird flu, a concern, how does it spread, and is there a vaccine? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about avian influenza.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
Man convicted of involuntary manslaughter in father's drowning, told police he was baptizing him
A Massachusetts man who told police he was exorcising a demon and performing a baptism when he shoved his father's head under water multiple times has been convicted of involuntary manslaughter in his death.
New Norad commander calls Canada's defence policy update 'very encouraging'
American troops will be spending more time training in the Far North, the new commander of Norad says, a strategy that fits 'hand-in-glove' with Canada's renewed focus on Arctic defence.
$70M Lotto Max winners kept prize a secret from family for 2 months
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.
Are Canadians getting sick from expired food?
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
Documents reveal Ottawa's efforts to get Loblaw, Walmart on board with grocery code
It was evident to the federal government as early as last fall that Loblaw and Walmart might be holdouts to the grocery code of conduct, jeopardizing the project's success.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.