For the first time in four days there has been a new case of COVID-19 confirmed in Grey-Bruce.
The Grey Bruce Health Unit reported one new case of the virus in the 24-hour period prior to Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. It is the first confirmed case of the virus in Grey-Bruce since Saturday and just the third case since May 5.
There have now been 91 cases reported in Grey-Bruce, of which 73 have recovered, an increase of one from Tuesday. There are currently no cases hospitalized and there have still been no deaths in the two counties. A total of 23 cases have been reported in health-care workers.
Meanwhile, two outbreaks at area care facilities continue – the 34-bed Parkview Manor in Chesley and the 45-bed Golden Dawn in Lion’s Head – but Grey-Bruce Medical Officer of Health Dr. Ian Arra believes that both could be false positive.
Both homes each have one asymptomatic resident who tested positive for the virus, with the cases detected through the Ontario government-mandated testing of long-term care homes.
The outbreak at Parkview Manor was declared on May 3, while the outbreak at Golden Dawn was declared on May 9.
A second test of the Parkview resident has come back negative and the health unit is awaiting the results of a third test. The second and third tests of the Golden Dawn resident who originally tested positive are both pending.
Arra said the cases are concerning in that they are asymptomatic and they are the only people in the homes who have tested positive.
“When I see there is nobody else in the building, other residents or staff, where did it come from?” Arra said.
“The virus is not going to fly in. These people don’t leave the building or their rooms so it is either going to come from other residents or from staff.”
If two negative swabs are received from a resident, then an outbreak would be declared over.
Testing had been completed at 18 of the 19 long-term care facilities in Grey-Bruce with the final facility due to be finished on Thursday, a day ahead of the province’s May 15 target.
An outbreak at the Bruce County-run Brucelea Haven Long-Term Care Home in Walkerton was declared over on Sunday. Two staff members there had tested positive for the virus.
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Georgian College has developed a $1-million COVID-19 hardship bursary to help ease the financial burden on students as a result of the pandemic.
The bursary is to be split equally among eligible domestic and international students who are enrolled in a regular full-time post-secondary program for the summer semester and demonstrate an urgent financial need.
“We fully recognize the financial pressure our students may have experienced as a direct result of COVID-19 and we are committed to supporting them in completing their semester successfully,” Georgian College president and CEO MaryLynn West-Moynes said in a news release.
The fund is intended to provide immediate short-term relief and is not intended as a source of long-term funding. It is intended to assist with basic necessities such as housing costs, utilities or technology required to complete a program, the release said.
Students are expected to explore other sources of funding such as support programs from the provincial and federal government, study period income, and OSAP, before applying for the hardship bursary, the release said.
The financial support is on top of emergency funds disbursed over the winter semester, when international students received more than $80,000 and domestic students received close to $2 million.
Students can find an application form for the COVID Hardship Bursary under the “money” tab on Georgian’s student protal, with applications accepted until June 3 at 4:30 p.m. Students seeking information on financial support is encouraged to contact the Financial Aid department at financialaid@georgiancollege.ca.
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Some sections of the Bruce Trail are slated to begin opening on Friday.
With the announcement that provincial parks and provincially owned conservation reserves were reopening, the Bruce Trail Conservancy announced plans to begin the process of a “safe and controlled staged” reopening of the trail.
Many sections of the trail will reopen for hiking on Friday as the conservancy co-ordinates with its partners, the group said in a release.
The conservancy said it is best to visit the websites or social media accounts of the organizations directly for the latest on closures or changes to access.
There are a number of Bruce Trail clubs that operate in Grey-Bruce, including the Blue Mountains Bruce Trail Club, Beaver Valley Bruce Trail Club, Sydenham Bruce Trail Club and Peninsula Bruce Trail Club.
“Where the Bruce Trail remains closed, please do not park on nearby roads, move gates or barriers, or hop fences, as these actions are illegal,” the release said.
Grey Sauble Conservation Authority and Saugeen Valley Conservation Authority properties remained closed as of Wednesday.
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The SweetWater Music Festival has had to postpone concerts, but is launching new initiatives to “keep the music alive” during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The festival’s Next Wave Showcase for aspiring and emerging musicians ages 14-29 is going online in June, offering the young musicians a chance to perform for a worldwide audience.
“One thing I’ve been thinking a lot about is that we need music, art, and connection more than ever,” SweetWater Artistic Director Edwin Huizinga said in a release.
Performers in the Next Wave Showcase must be at a Royal Conservatory of Music Grade 9 level or similar equivalent, while solo repertoire from applicants is encouraged.
Musicians must provide a video clip of a performance, complete a registration, available at sweetwatermusicfestival.ca, and submit a one page letter of recommendation.
The application deadline in May 31 and Huizinga will select the finalists who will take part.
Finalists will receive a small honorarium, an opportunity for an online music lesson with Huizinga and music career counselling from him. They may also be selected for a mentorship opportunity with SweetWater, the release said.
The festival is also working on music education opportunities for students, including a session featuring violinist Jaron Freeman-Fox.
SweetWater has also introduced two other online music initiatives this spring, including SweetWater Redux, featuring audio and video recordings from previous festivals, and Music Moments with Edwin, including solo performances from Huizinga’s studio. He also recently performed an online concert with long-time collaborator Bill Coulter as part of their Fire & Grace duo.
SweetWater continues to monitor how the COVID-19 situation is evolving and what impact it will have on its September festival plans, the release said.
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A campaign to provide meals to local frontline health-care workers and at the same time support local food service businesses has seen more than $4,000 raised and 380 meals provided to local hospitals, emergency services and long-term care facilities.
Fuelling the Frontline was launched in mid-April, with funds raised so far used to source meals from a number of local foodservice businesses, including Freshii, The Bleeding Carrot, European Bakery Cafe, and CMHA Fresh Roots in Owen Sound, Sand Witches food truck in Georgian Bluffs and Bonfire on Queen in Paisley. Organizers have then co-ordinated delivery of meals to frontline workers at over a dozen facilities in Grey-Bruce.
Each meal is labeled with contents, reheating instructions and a thank-you note for frontline workers.
Donations to the campaign can be made at fuellingthefrontline.ca
In addition to donations, Fuelling the Frontline is accepting sponsorships from businesses that want to designate a specific restaurant or recipient organization.
More information is available on the campaign’s website or Facebook page.
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Hanover has lifted its ban on open air burning, while a ban on fireworks remains in effect.
The town announced on Tuesday that the ban had been lifted, after it was put in place on April 3 in an effort to avoid additional strain on the town’s emergency services.
Residents are reminded that all open air burning in the town, including a bonfire or fire pit, requires a burn permit, which can be obtained by completing an application at https://hanover.burnpermits.com and paying the required fee.
Residents are also reminded to follow open-air burning safety precautions, comply with the Environmental Protection Act of Ontario and follow health precautions put in place to slow the spread of COVID-19.
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posted from Tumblr COVID roundup: One new case of COVID-19 in Grey-Bruce from Neinstein Personal Injury Lawyers
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