COVID 19 Update Sept. 25

COVID-19 Update from Mayor Wade Mills

September 25, 2020

Today there were 409 new cases reported in Ontario (204 from Toronto, 66 from Peel, 40 from Ottawa, and 33 from York).  In line with recent trends, about 65% of the new cases are individuals younger than 40 years old. Province-wide, our cumulative reported totals now sit at 48,905 cases, 42,169 resolved cases, 2,837 reported deaths, and 87 current hospitalizations.

Unfortunately, this week we have also been seeing some increases locally. Within the Wellington Dufferin Guelph Public Health region, we now have had a total of 633 cases since the beginning of the pandemic. According to the DWGPH website, there are currently 47 active cases being reported throughout the region with eight new cases being reported within past 24 hours and two current hospitalizations. Within Dufferin County, our cumulative total now sits at 219 cases which is up by 11 from the September 18th report. There are currently 13 active cases being reported within Dufferin but no hospitalizations.

It now seems to be generally accepted that we are into the “second wave” of the pandemic that has long been predicted by health officials.

It is being reported that the provincial plan to deal with the second wave will include more targeted and focused shut downs and restrictions instead of the broad-based approach that was adopted in the spring. This may include regional and sector-specific actions.

Last weekend the Premier did announced that the reductions in permitted social gathering sizes were being applied to all areas of the province. These limits apply to “unmonitored private social functions” which include functions, parties, dinners, gatherings, BBQs, and wedding receptions held in private residences, backyards, parks, and other recreational areas. As it currently stands, there may be no more than 10 people at an indoor, or 25 people at an outdoor unmonitored private social function. The province also clarified that these events cannot be merged together such that 10 people are inside and another 25 are outside – it is a one or the other proposition. I remind residents that a breach of these orders can carry substantial fines.

As previously reported, our Town Hall has reopened to the public and staff are reporting a large increase in the number of in-person attendances. They have also noted an increase in the number of people who are paying their accounts with cash. While our staff remain more than happy to serve, I would ask that you try to make use of our online services (including tax and water account payments) as much as possible so as to limit the number of people inside the building. If online payments are not an option for you, then I would ask that you try to make payments electronically at the counter.

While we are not yet seeing any dramatic or sustained spikes locally, the numbers do clearly indicate that the virus does remain present within our local vicinity. This is not being reported to incite fear, but it should simply serve as a gentle reminder that we are not yet at the point where we can become complacent and assume that the warnings do not apply locally. We are still very much in a situation where we are relying upon each other to make responsible choices and do the right things.

Have a great weekend, stay well, and continue to look out for each other.

Mayor Wade Mills