COVID-19 roundup: no new local C-19 cases reported, but Grey-Bruce "not out of the woods"

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

None of the active cases have been hospitalized because of the disease, and no deaths have occurred in the region as a direct result of COVID-19.

Eighty-one cases have now recovered, leaving nine known active cases in the community.

Dr. Ian Arra, Grey Bruce’s medical officer of health, said that number, while a positive sign, is not an accurate reflection of the disease’s actual prevalence in the community.

“It’s the number that’s captured, not the real number out there in the world. Some people don’t get tested. Some people don’t want to be tested, and some people are asymptomatic,” he said. “You can already see more activity in the community. You can already see longer lines at the grocery stores. The risk is still there. We’re not out of the woods yet.”

Several Grey-Bruce municipalities reopened recreational amenities and outdoor green spaces Friday. Local businesses have reopened as well, as the province enters Stage 1 of its reopening plan.

“Some people may feel reassured, other people might think it’s over. Some people talk about a second wave. What we’re aiming for is, if there is an increase in cases it’s not going to be severe enough to exhaust our resources or the healthcare system,” Arra said.

The region’s medical officer of health reminded people that coughing into their elbow, washing their hands and physical distancing is still of paramount importance as they start to emerge from the province’s unprecedented shutdown.

“These things allow us to have some control of the outbreak. The goal is not to live like this forever, but to be able to mitigate it and have our businesses open and our activities back in a safe way until we have one of our final solutions – whether its a vaccine or the herd immunity or any other possible solution,” he said. “These are truly the recommendations that helped us in our area flatten the curve, and those things are necessary to continue.”

Arra said a timeline to enter Stage 2 or Stage 3 of the reopening plan is completely fluid and will hinge on whether or not a spike of COVID-19 cases comes as the result of any of the relaxed measures.

And while the field hospital inside the Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre is set to be stripped down and placed in storage at the end of June, the recovery centres in Kincardine and Hanover will stay operational until the end of a potential Stage 2 or Stage 3 reopening phase, Arra said.

“The way I think of them is an insurance policy. We buy them, we insure our cars and houses and we hope we never use them,” Arra said.

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Some recreational amenities were opened to the public in Owen Sound Friday.

Just ahead of the weekend city officials opened sportsfields, ball diamonds, running tracks, the basketball and tennis courts at Harrison Park, and public benches.

The off-leash dog park and municipal boat launches were previously opened on May 19 and May 16 respectively.

A city media release reminded residents that strict guidelines remain in place, and are required under the province’s emergency order. A physical distance of two metres must be maintained by all people except those living in the same household. Team sports are not permitted, and groups exceeding five are still prohibited.

The city anticipates the reopening of the Kiwanis Sk8 & Bike Park, picnic areas and shelters and some public washrooms to reopen on June 1.

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Georgian Bluffs reopened athletic fields, tennis courts, and township green spaces to the public on Friday.

The bike and skate park located at the Shallow Lake Community Centre was also reopened.

All public playgrounds, play structures, restrooms and beaches remain closed.

“We ask that these public spaces are used responsibly while maintaining appropriate social distancing. Additionally, please continue to respect social gathering restrictions as implemented by the province,” the township’s media release said.

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Brockton reopened several outdoor recreational amenities to the public Friday.

Soccer fields, baseball diamonds, basketball courts, tennis courts and parks were all reopened provided people make use of them while respecting the provincial guidelines, including physical distancing and not gathering in groups of more than five people.

Play structures remain closed to the public, including the splash pad at Centennial Park in Walkerton.

Washrooms and facilities remain closed as well.

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West Grey is opening trails, boat launches and green spaces to the public ahead of the weekend.

People are asked to follow public health guidelines including maintaining their physical distance and not gathering with more than five people, and nobody outside of their own household.

Washrooms, play structures and various facilities remain closed.

“It is essential that West Grey takes a careful approach to reopening some of our public open areas,” said Mayor Christine Robinson in a release. “The decision to do a slow approach to reopening is based on obtaining sound advice and implementing safety guidelines for the public.”

Team sports are still not permitted under provincial guidelines, so areas such as basketball and tennis courts, ball diamonds and soccer fields remain closed.

“I am comfortable with this cautious and responsible approach because I know the messages of washing hands frequently, keeping physical distance of two metres and not congregating are resonating with citizens,” said Robinson. “These efforts are paying off and we all need to continue following this advice to stay safe and stop the spread of the coronavirus.”

Saugeen Valley Conservation Authority has opened many conservation areas with restrictions to groups of five and closure of all buildings, including washrooms. Some retail spaces have also opened in West Grey.