Collingwood and The Blue Mountains OPP have noted an increase in calls requiring a response from the Mental Health Response Unit. Detachment Commander Insp. Mary Shannon said there have been 38 calls since March 17, which is 20 more calls than the unit received in the same time period in 2019.
Domestic violence calls have also increased with the local detachment responding to 61 calls of that nature in 2020, and laying charges for 11 of those calls. In 2019 during the same time period, the local OPP responded to 42 domestic violence calls, laying charges in 10 of those cases.
Last week, Insp. Shannon announced new funding for the Mental Health Response Unit to increase team's response availability from four days per week to six days per week. The unit is shared between The Blue Mountains/Collingwood OPP and Huronia West OPP in Wasaga Beach. For the next four months, there will be a crisis worker available to attend calls with a uniformed officer for 10 hours a day, six days a week.
Dr. Charles Gardner, medical officer of health for the Simcoe-Muskoka region, spoke about mental health yesterday in recognition of Mental Health Week this week. He acknowledged the public health control measures take a hard toll on people's mental and physical health, particularly for residents in isolation in long-term care homes.
Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit has reported 11 new cases of COVID-19 today, including a new case in Clearview. There were also three more deaths, all Barrie residents.
No new cases have been reported in Collingwood since April 29. There have been a total of nine cases reported in Collingwood residents. One person moved out of the region, and seven people have recovered. However, Gardner said there is still a risk of community transmission and urged people to continue practicing physical distancing, handwashing, and avoiding non-essential errands and travel.
Ontario reported 387 new COVID-19 cases this morning as well as 61 deaths and 274 recoveries.
Today's essential worker of the day is Dion Emerson.
CollingwoodToday would like your help in recognizing local essential workers from health care workers, physicians, cashiers and delivery drivers. If you'd like to say thanks to someone you know, please send a photo, their name, their job title, and your words of thanks to [email protected]. Please only send photos and information with permission.
