COVID-19 roundup: one new case reported in Grey-Bruce Friday

, A single new case of COVID-19 reported in Grey-Bruce Friday broke the region’s streak of three-straight days without a new case documented in the health unit’s situation report.

The new case brings the total number of documented cases in Grey-Bruce to 89. Twenty-three of those cases have been reported in health-care workers, and 70 have now recovered.

Two long-term care facilities in Grey-Bruce remain in an outbreak. They are Parkview Manor in Chesley and Brucelea Haven in Walkerton.

So far, all but the original cases have tested negative in both locations.

The outbreak at Brucelea Haven was set to be declared over on May 7, but a resident showing gastrointestinal symptoms was tested for COVID-19 out of an abundance of caution. Until those test results come back, the outbreak can’t be lifted, according to Dr. Ian Arra, Grey-Bruce’s medical officer of health.

Arra published a message on the health unit’s website ahead of Mother’s Day.

In it, he said it is critical people do not let their guard down, even though the region has been successful to date in limiting the spread of COVID-19 and reducing the negative impacts of the virus.

He said practicing physical distancing measures may mean celebrating Mother’s Day a little differently this year.

“Consider a window visit, a nice phone call, or try a video call if you have the technology. Send gifts electronically, or if you must drop off a physical gift or flowers, be sure to wash your hands thoroughly without coming face to face. Trust me; she has known you all your life; she can remember your face. Stay home, and say I love you – no other gift can replace caring for our mothers,” Arra said in the message.

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The Mayor of Huron-Kinloss has revoked a municipal order that prohibited the operation of any valves to supply water to seasonal dwellings.

The revocation of the order takes effect immediately.

On March 30, Mayor Mitch Twolan announced in an online statement that a municipal order had been implemented ordering everyone to refrain from turning the water on for seasonal residents. He said local tradespeople had been contacted to make them aware of the order.

At the time, Twolan said the order was vetted by the municipality’s solicitor, and cited the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act, giving him the authority to take actions deemed necessary to protect the health, safety and welfare of the township’s residents.

“The Township continues to strongly discourage all seasonal residents from travelling to the Township while the pandemic situation exists. Staying home, avoiding non-essential travel, physical distancing and hand washing are still key to protecting the health and well-being of individuals and families to stop the spread of COVID-19,” said the mayor in a release issued Friday.

The Huron-Kinloss order said individuals convicted of an offence could face a fine of up to $100,000 and jail time of up to a year, while individuals who are an officer or director of a corporation could face a fine of up to $500,000 and a year in prison. Corporations could face a fine of up to $10 million.

“We appreciate how everyone is coming together to fight this pandemic and although we aren’t out of the woods, I feel like our efforts to protect each other is working. Council and staff is working hard to start a cautious and gradual approach to move forward and bring back some normalcy, but the safety of our staff and of our community will always be our biggest priority, said Twolan in Friday’s press release.

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The Town of Saugeen Shores is urging cottagers to stay home as Victoria Day long weekend nears.

A press release issued Friday aimed to remind cottagers that both the Grey-Bruce’s medical officer of health and the province’s chief medical officer of health have advised the public against all non-essential travel to seasonal residences.

“We are eager to see seasonal residents and cottagers return to Saugeen Shores as soon as it is safe for everyone to travel again,” said Saugeen Shores Mayor Luke Charbonneau in a release. “But the risk during this pandemic is still too great. Everyone should avoid non-essential travel this long weekend to keep themselves and our community safe.”

Many amenities, including beaches, remain closed in the community and gatherings of more than five people are still prohibited by provincial orders under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act, the release said.

The release went on to say, the ban against gatherings of more than five people is enforceable by law and Saugeen Shores Police Service is prepared for any violations of this order over the long weekend and asks that if anyone in Saugeen Shores sees people gathering in groups of more than five (who are not members of a single household), call the Saugeen Shores Police Services at 519-832-2500 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS). Residents are asked to not call 911.

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Bruce Power delivered 550 care packages to seven health-care and long-term care facilities across Kincardine, Saugeen Shores, Owen Sound and Wiarton, a press release said Friday.

Administrators at Kincardine Hospital, Southampton Hospital, the Chippewas of Nawash Health Centre, the Mino Bimaadsawin Health Centre in Saugeen First Nation, Trillium Court senior community in Kincardine, Maple View long-term care facility in Owen Sound, and Southampton Care Centre received the packages for distribution to their staffs.

Each package includes a gift card for a local restaurant and a bottle of hand sanitizer that Bruce Power has acquired with the backing of supply chain partners, businesses, unions and community groups.

“These packages are a way for us to say thank you and to recognize health-care workers in our communities for their commitment, compassion and care,” said Mike Rencheck, Bruce Power president and chief executive officer. “During this health crisis, physicians, nurses, specialists, administration, maintenance staff and other front-line workers at our health-care facilities have been at their very best in looking after our families, friends and fellow residents.”