COVID 19 Update July 3

COVID-19 Update from Mayor Wade Mills July 3, 2020

Ontario has reported 165 new cases within the past 24 hours and 88% of those new cases are from within Toronto, and York, and Peel Regions. These new cases bring our cumulative reported provincial totals to 35,535 cases, 30,909 resolved cases, and 2,682 total reported deaths.

Within the Wellington Dufferin Guelph Public Health region, we have seen four new cases reported bringing the new cumulative total to 487 cases. Currently, there are 37 active cases within the health unit’s jurisdiction area, and two hospitalizations. Within Dufferin County, we have seen one new case which brings the County’s cumulative case total to 188. Dufferin County has nine current active cases and still no current reported hospitalizations.

The province is signaling that it wishes to move to Phase Three of the re-opening sooner rather than later. Some health officials are suggesting that announcements could be expected as early as within the next week or so. It is not entirely clear what else will be permitted to re-open under the next phase, but the province’s initial framework indicated that Phase Three would see “opening all workplaces responsibly” and “further relaxing the restrictions on public gatherings”. As it stands right now, social gatherings are still limited to 10 throughout Ontario.

The list of municipalities mandating the wearing of masks or face coverings while in indoor public facilities is growing. The City of Toronto authorized the measure this week and a number of other GTA municipalities have followed suit. At this point, the province has expressed reluctance in making a province-wide mask order mandatory.

As many of you will know, a number of fireworks were on display this past Wednesday evening despite the local ban. To be clear, the ban was imposed not as a draconian measure to ruin anybody’s fun. Rather, we imposed the ban after a lot of careful consideration and in an effort to reduce the strain on our first responders – fire, police, and paramedics. The idea is that we want to limit the exposure of these folks by reducing the number of easily avoidable calls for service. Sadly, a number of residents it seems, were either not aware of the ban, or more likely, just decided to ignore it. According to my reports from the Police Chief, Shelburne Police responded to 15 calls for service from 6 pm on July 1^st until 6 am on July 2^nd.  Three unrelated arrests were made during the night.  Other calls for service included two traffic complaints, one neighbour dispute, three noise complaints and three specific complaints related to the use of fireworks. Our officers did not charge any of the fireworks users but did issue warnings and obtained cooperation to cease. At least one case of property damage related to fireworks has also now been reported. This is disappointing to say the least, and quite frankly, I know that we can do better. I understand that we are all feeling frustrated and that most people were using fireworks as a way to create some joy, but doing this within the context of a (still very active) pandemic is irresponsible at best and downright selfish at worst. Our first responders are doing remarkable work to help keep us safe and they are taking on additional risks to their own health for the sake of the rest of us – the least we can do it seems, is to work with them and make their jobs just a little bit easier. 

Have a great weekend. Please keep your wits about you, and please continue to think and act responsibly.

Mayor Wade Mills