Local cluster of COVID cases is a wake-up call, says doctor

After seeing a cluster of COVID-19 cases pop up locally, the medical officer of health is pleading with residents to keep their guard up.

“One case can cascade into many cases over a short period of time,” said Dr. Ian Arra, MOH of Grey Bruce Health Unit (GBHU).

Arra provided an update in regards to the known cluster of COVID-19 cases that was identified last week in east Grey County, to the Town of the Blue Mountains’ council at a council held on Monday.

Beginning on Sept. 24, GBHU began contact tracing in regards to the identified cluster. The health unit followed up with approximately 100 contacts, including 32 known high-risk close contacts.

Arra said the recent cluster is a wake-up call.

“I feel very comfortable, very confident that we have a good grip on the situation. The number 100 is manageable. However, it's alarming,” he said. “Some people say we're done with the virus, but the truth of the matter is the virus is not done with us.”

The individuals identified to be a part of the cluster, as well as all the close contacts, have been asked to self-isolate for 14 days.

The health unit has reported one new case in The Blue Mountains and six new cases in Meaford since Sept. 24.

“It is critically important to keep our guards up, to be mindful of our surroundings, to be mindful of our social interactions and assume that each one of us is a potential carrier carrying the virus,” Arra said.

As the holiday season quickly approaches, Arra said the province and GBHU will be providing guidance for the public in the coming days.

“These are very important events in a normal year, because of the benefits to the mental well-being when connecting with family and friends. During this emergency, they are even more important for ensuring the well-being of people,” Arra said. “We realize and recognize the importance of this. But, we need to do this safely.”

He says limiting your social bubble to your family is acceptable, but individuals must remain mindful of interactions with others during the gathering, as well as leading up to it.

“Three weeks from now, we might find ourselves in the grip of the second wave. So again, it's crucially important to have both sides of the equation – to have that social interaction with family but to have it in a safe way,” Arra said.