The Grey Bruce Health Unit medical officer of health said he and his team are assessing local data and trends in COVID transmission, and may announce restrictions for minor sports in the region.
According to a news release from the health unit, an increase in COVID-19 cases and associated outbreaks is due in part to the chain of transmission beginning with young people under 18 years old who are connected to organized sports.
The health unit also noted the investigative team has seen transmission starting with individuals who attend sports, school, or childcare while having symptoms.
The release states the health unit is working with stakeholders in the school system, and in minor and amateur sports organizations, and "may" introduce "measured restrictions within those settings."
The restrictions, said the health unit, could include:
- Pausing sporting events associated with school boards (extracurricular)
- Ending travel for minor and amateur sports to locations outside of Grey-Bruce
- Restrictions to sporting events within Grey-Bruce such as reduced frequency of events
- Pausing sporting events within Grey-Bruce.
“We will, as always, ensure the safety of the community while following the principle of least intrusive” said Dr. Ian Arra, medical officer of health for the Grey Bruce Health Unit, in the news release. “Our goal in the management of the pandemic is not to shut down Grey-Bruce, rather to keep it open as long as we can, so long as it is safe to do so."
He urged parents not to send their children to school or sports events and practices if they have symptoms of illness.
According to Arra, there is no evidence of COVID transmission in places like malls, big box stores, or grocery stores, nor have they seen transmission recently in high-impact sectors such as long-term care, retirement homes, or hospitals.
There have been no confirmed cases of the omicron strain in Grey-Bruce, though one case is under investigation pending lab results.
Finally, Arra noted risks of both COVID infection and transmission is higher in individuals who are not vaccinated, and encouraged all Grey-Bruce residents to receive all COVID vaccine doses they are eligible for.
Over the weekend, the Grey Bruce Health Unit reported 29 new COVID cases in the region. They include:
- Six in Owen Sound
- Seven in South Bruce
- Three in Saugeen Shores
- Four in Kincardine
- One in Chatsworth
- One in Hanover
- Three in Southgate
- Three in Arran-Elderslie
- and one in South Bruce Peninsula
As of Dec. 12, the health unit has reported 2,639 COVID cases and there are 76 active cases in the region. The health unit is tracking more than 700 high-risk contacts.
There is a COVID-19 outbreak at St. Mary's High School in Owen Sound with 11 cohorts impacted and at least five cases confirmed as of Dec. 11. A news release from the health unit indicated the school has closed for in-person learning and moved to a virtual model, though that was not required or directed by the health unit.
