Covid 19 Update October 23

COVID-19 Update from Mayor Wade Mills October 23, 2020

Ontario’s upward trend of new cases continues with 826 new cases being reported today.  The majority of new cases are still arising in the known “hot spots”. Province-wide, our cumulative reported totals now sit at 68,353 cases, 58,799 resolved cases, and 3,080 reported deaths.

Within the Wellington Dufferin Guelph Public Health region, we have had nine new cases reported with the past 24 hours bringing our cumulative totals to 809 cases, 51 active cases, and two current hospitalizations. Within Dufferin County, our cumulative total now sits at 267 cases with three new cases being added within the past 24 hours. There are currently 15 active cases being reported within Dufferin but still no hospitalizations.

Nationally, the highest number of COVID-19 cases in a single day was recorded yesterday with 2,786 new cases throughout Canada which broke the previous record set on October 17^th. Our recent national uptick has resulted in the European Union removing Canada from its list of countries whose residents are permitted to travel.

It was announced today that the first batch of “rapid tests” for COVID-19 will begin to roll out in Ontario next month. Initially, 100,000 of these rapid tests will be deployed in remote areas, areas or facilities that are experiencing an outbreak, and for those asymptomatic individuals who are considered to be in priority groups. The rapid tests are not considered to be as accurate as the traditional lab tests, so it is anticipated that both tests will be administered for a period of time.

Questions surrounding Halloween have been on the minds of many parents and members of the community. The Province and our own local public health authority have released some general guidelines surrounding Halloween activities and we have shared that information across our social media platforms. Our own local Emergency Control Group will be reviewing this again next Tuesday and I will provide a more wholesome report at that time to provide local recommendations and guidelines to be aware of within the Town of Shelburne.

I hope that everyone is able to enjoy the great weather today and I encourage you all to stay safe and be good each other.

Have a great weekend!

Mayor Wade Mills