The Grey Bruce Public Health Unit. (Matt Hermiz/Bayshore Broadcasting)
The Grey Bruce Health Unit says it may introduce a number of “measured restrictions” on organized sports in the region amid an increase in Covid infections and outbreaks over the past few days.
The region’s active case load has increased to 76, more than 700 people are considered high risk contacts and three people are now hospitalized in Grey Bruce due to Covid. Public Health is also reporting outbreaks at St. Dominique Savio School, Timothy Christian School, St. Mary’s High School and Holland Chatsworth Central School.
St. Mary’s High School has been closed to in-person learning and all classes moved online by the Bruce-Grey Catholic District School Board “out of an abundance of caution,” not at the direction or requirement of Public Health.
The Bluewater District School Board also announced Holland Chatsworth Central School is closed today due to operational issues, although the board did not explicitly identify if this school closure is Covid related.
According to the Grey Bruce Health Unit, one trend identified from ongoing investigations is the chain of transmission mainly relates to young people (under 18 years old) with a connection to organized sports. Public Health says a second trend indicates transmission starting in individuals who attended sports, school or childcare while having symptoms.
“Another trend that is evident in all current investigations is the increased risk of both infection and transmission in individuals who are not vaccinated,” a statement from the Health Unit explains. “There is no evidence at this time of transmission in places like malls, big box stores or grocery stores or the high impact sectors such as long-term care, retirement homes, or hospitals.”
The Grey Bruce Health Unit says it is actively working with stakeholders within school systems, as well as minor and amateur sports organizations. It says based on the outcome of its ongoing investigations and risk assessments of different sectors, a number of measured restrictions may be introduced.
Nothing has been put in place yet, but Public Health these restrictions may include pausing sporting events associated with school boards, ending travel of minor and amateur sports teams in Grey Bruce to locations outside the region, restrictions to the frequency of sporting events for some or all age groups, or pausing sporting events altogether in Grey Bruce.
“We will, as always, ensure the safety of the community while following the principle of least intrusive,” says Grey Bruce’s Medical Officer of Health Dr. Ian Arra in a statement. “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.”
