COVID-19 roundup: Local long-term care homes currently clear of COVID-19

There were no new lab-test confirmed COVID-19 cases in Grey-Bruce once again Tuesday according to the Grey Bruce Health Unit’s daily situation report.

A false-positive test from Grey Gables in Markdale was removed from the data Tuesday leaving 91 confirmed cases in the region to date.

Of those, 78 have now recovered and 24 have been reported in healthcare workers. No people are currently hospitalized with the disease, and no one in Grey-Bruce has died as a direct result of COVID-19.

There are no long-term care facilities currently in a declared COVID-19 outbreak.

Over the weekend two homes – Georgian Heights in Owen Sound and Grey Gables in Markdale – recorded false-positive tests that have now been disproven.

Expedited lab testing done locally ended the declared outbreak at Georgian Heights quickly while an official outbreak was never declared at Grey Gables because of the health unit’s confidence the test was a false-positive result.

Dr. Ian Arra, Grey Bruce’s medical officer of health, said there have been at least four false-positive tests since the province mandated widespread testing at all long-term care homes.

“I’m not surprised. When you test hundreds the tests lost their validity. When you test asymptomatic,” he said.

Arra said some of the asymptomatic residents who tested positive were the only ones in the entire facility, which given the current measures put in place doesn’t make any sense.

“By definition, there is no mechanism for the virus to arrive to this person, and that adds to the evidence we saw from the lab,” he said.

Arra was impressed with reports of a quiet weekend in Grey-Bruce from the heads of local police services. He hopes the “exceptional” local commitment to unprecedented physical distancing measures will continue to show in the data as restrictions start to lift province-wide.

“It’s going to increase contact among people and increase the risk of transmission. The goal is to keep the numbers low enough to have control over this outbreak,” he said. “So we might see sporadic cases. We might see clusters, and hopefully not outbreaks.”

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Over $500,000 will soon be doled out to local charities provided they are adapting services to support vulnerable Canadians during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The federal government’s Emergency Community Support Fund is being administered locally through a joint effort between the United Way of Bruce Grey and the Community Foundation Grey Bruce.

Both organizations are now accepting funding applications for the $582,000 that will be invested locally.

The agencies are encouraging charities in the community to apply for the fund through either organization by visiting their websites.

The grants can be used to cover staffing or resource needs, purchase assistance, or a variety of other ways to help in the COVID-19 response.

Funding will be issued through July 2020 on an ongoing basis, as funds permit.

The federal government pledged $350 million to improve the ability of community organizations to serve vulnerable Canadians amid the global pandemic. The investment is flowing through national intermediaries including the United Way, Canadian Red Cross and Community Foundations of Canada.

A variety of charities and other eligible organizations can apply for funding provided they are supporting the COVID-19 response and relief effort. Some examples listed on the federal government’s website include volunteer-based home delivery of groceries and medications, providing training and support to volunteers, helping vulnerable Canadians access government benefits, and providing mental health supports for people in crisis.

“I am hearing daily from charities that are stretched beyond their standard capacity as they rise to the challenge of meeting local needs. We are thrilled to be able to further support them and enhance their capacity with these additional dollars,” said Francesca Dobbyn, United Way of Bruce Grey’s executive director, in a media release.

“This is a vital step in the fight against COVID-19,” says Stuart Reid, executive director of the Community Foundation Grey Bruce, “Local charities and non-profit organizations have been working tirelessly to support those who need it most right now. This additional funding is a much-needed boost to their efforts. We’re looking forward to flowing funds quickly to ensure no one in our community is left behind.”

For eligibility requirements and to apply visit either www.communityfoundationgreybruce.com or www.ecsfuwbg.com

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The Brockton and Walkerton Business Improvement Association are holding a virtual town hall with MPP Lisa Thompson and Associate Minister of Small Business Prabmeet Sarkaria Wednesday at 1 p.m.

The content of the town hall will be focused on business recovery measures. Brockton Mayor Chris Peabody will moderate the discussion.

Provincial cabinet ministers are looking to gather direct feedback from the business community to help the Ontario Jobs and Recovery Committee formulate future plans.

The virtual town hall will include a question-and-answer session, however, participants are encouraged to send their questions in advance of the start time to meeting organizers.

Visit www.brockton.ca for more information and to register for the virtual town hall.