COVID 19 Update February 5, 2021

COVID-19 Update from Mayor Wade Mills February 5, 2021

There were 1,670 new COVID-19 cases reported in Ontario today and we have seen the lowest test positivity rate since October.  Province-wide, our cumulative reported totals now sit at 275,330 cases, 253,170 resolved cases, 6,438 reported deaths, and 1,043 patients currently hospitalized. It is also being reported that there are currently 325 patients currently in ICU and 225 of those are on ventilators – both of these metrics are down from last week which is a great sign.

Within the Wellington Dufferin Guelph Public Health region, we have seen an additional 15 new cases reported since yesterday. We currently have 257 active cases throughout the region which down substantially from last week and there are currently 16 health unit residents in hospital. Within Dufferin County specifically, we have had only two new cases reported within the last 24-hour period and our current active case count stands at 20. Headwaters Healthcare Centre is reporting that they currently have six patients with COVID-19 but only four Dufferin County residents are currently hospitalized. Public Health is also reporting that we are down to only one active case among residents of Shelburne. As a community, we should be proud of these numbers that we have achieved together. I personally thank each and every resident for the level of commitment that you have demonstrated through this most challenging time and I ask that you continue those efforts until we can safely and confidently put this all behind us.

As you will likely know by now, local schools will be returning to in-person attendance this coming Monday, February 8^th. I know that this decision is welcomed by most parents and it seems that local health officials are confident that the return can be managed safely. The Upper Grand District School Board has implemented some additional protocols. Daily screening will continue and mask wearing will now extend to all students from kindergarten to Grade 12 at all times while indoors. There will also be a mask requirement when outside if students are not able to maintain the required 2m distancing.

The current provincial stay-at-home order is set to expire next week and we can expect an official announcement then as to how it will be rolled back or whether it will be extended for all or parts of the province. Officials seem to be pleased with the recent trends in the number of new cases so it would seem likely that we will begin to see an easing of restrictions.

The shortage of vaccine shipments continues to a be major issue and has forced our provincial vaccination team to push back certain target dates for administering the vaccinations. On a positive note, it is being reported that Health Canada is set to approve the vaccine created by AstraZeneca next week which should help to supplement the approved Pfizer and Moderna vaccines which are in shorter than expected supply.

Stay well!

Mayor Wade Mills