Covid 19 Update November 13, 2020

COVID-19 Update from Mayor Wade Mills November 13, 2020

Ontario has 1,396 new cases being reported today which is down slightly from yesterday’s daily record of 1,575.  The seven-day rolling Provincial average of new cases is clearly showing a concerning upward trajectory. Province-wide, our cumulative reported totals now sit at 91,180 cases, 76,238 resolved cases, and 3,312 reported deaths which include 19 additional fatalities occurring with the past 24-hour reported period.

Within the Wellington Dufferin Guelph Public Health region, we have also been seeing new case numbers on the rise over the past number of days. There were 10 new cases reported with the past 24 hours bringing us to 100 active cases but luckily only one current hospitalization. Within Dufferin County the increases have been less dramatic than in the other parts of our public health region. It is reported that three new cases have been added within the past 24 hours. There are currently 23 active cases being reported within Dufferin but no hospitalizations.

Under the new Provincial tiered colour-coding system, our Wellington Dufferin Guelph Public Health region is currently in the Yellow (“Protect”) level. With the rise of new cases however, we are moving closer and closer to the Orange (“Restrict”) level which, as the name implies, would bring additional restrictions to local residents and establishments. The Premier has announced today that the thresholds for each of the various colour levels will be lowered to reflect the increases in cases.

To that point, new modelling from the Province yesterday highlighted just how bad this current “second wave” could get. The data is suggesting that we could quite possibly see Provincial daily case counts reach 3,500 by the end of November and 6,500 by the middle of December.

Another concerning point to consider locally is that Headwaters Healthcare Centre is currently at 100% capacity WITHOUT having any COVID-related patients admitted. A number of hospitals further south of us are already well over capacity.

For those who would still question the gravity of this pandemic or otherwise seek to downplay its seriousness, the facts simply do not support the proposition. I cannot stress enough that the threat of COVID-19 is, and continues to be real and present. The modelling data that we are now seeing should be shocking and it should serve as a stark reminder that we are not over this – in fact, the worst may very well be yet to come. Despite the inevitable fatigue that sets in over living with the current restrictions, we must all remain as vigilant now as we were in the beginning. We must also think beyond our own self-interest and consider the health and well-being of those around us, particularly those members of our community who are at increased vulnerability. Let’s not give up yet.

Be well. Be responsible. Be mindful. Be kind.

Mayor Wade Mills