Three new COVID-19 cases in Grey-Bruce on Monday

For the first time in more than two weeks, Grey-Bruce is seeing a day with multiple cases of COVID-19 being reported.

On Monday afternoon, the Grey Bruce Health Unit confirmed three new cases of the coronavirus in the past 24 hours. It is the first time more than one case of the virus was confirmed in a single day since two cases were confirmed on May 17.

There were still no cases hospitalized in Grey-Bruce on Monday, while there have been no deaths. A total of 87 of the cases have recovered, while there have been 24 cases reported in health-care workers working in Grey-Bruce, both figures which were unchanged from the previous day. No facilities in Grey-Bruce are in COVID-19 outbreak.

The new cases came after a quiet weekend in which no new cases were confirmed on Saturday and Sunday. There was one case reported on each of Thursday and Friday of last week. Prior to that, only one case in total was reported in a 10-day stretch between May 18 and May 27.

The cases reported on Monday included two residents of Huron-Kinloss and one resident of Saugeen Shores.

Grey-Bruce Medical Officer of Health Dr. Ian Arra said Monday that the number of cases isn’t cause for alarm and is something that can be expected.

He said the objective going forward is not to have zero cases, but to balance the number of COVID-19 cases with other ailments related to measures put in place to combat the virus such as mental illness, domestic violence or even heat stroke.

“There is disease and death related to both and going forward it would be the balance between them,” said Arra.

The case count in Grey County includes Owen Sound with 46 cases, Southgate 11, Grey Highlands 6, Blue Mountains and West Grey have five each, while Meaford, Georgian Bluffs and Chatsworth each have had one. Hanover has had no reported cases.

In Bruce County, Saugeen Shores has five cases, Kincardine and Huron-Kinloss have four each, South Bruce Peninsula, three, Arran-Elderslie, two, Brockton and South Bruce each have had one and Northern Bruce Peninsula has had no reported cases.

Arra said there is evidence that the latest cases involve people who had contact with people from outside the area and that is likely how they contracted the virus.

But he added that it is important to realize that community spread could still be happening in Grey-Bruce and the area is “not out of the woods.”

“All in all it is expected we will be seeing these sporadic cases,” said Arra. “As long as we are not seeing outbreaks, that is the objective.”

Arra said Grey-Bruce has been doing a really good job of flattening the curve, but it is not the time to lower one’s guard.

“We need tp proceed to a successful reopening as fast as we can as long as it is safe and reasonable,” said Arra, adding that people should continue to practice safety measures such as physical distancing, regular hand washing and staying home when sick.

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The County of Bruce has enhanced its Spruce the Bruce program to make $250,000 in grants available to local businesses this year.

The program enhancement is part of the county’s $1.75 million Business Stability Fund, introduced last month to help local businesses as they deal with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Under the Spruce the Bruce program, matching requirements have been removed for 2020, with the grants now covering 100 per cent of the cost of a project, up to a maximum of $4,000 per business.

“As we prepare to reopen, many local businesses are looking at adaptations that promote social distancing,” Warden Mitch Twolan said in a news release. “Installation of takeout windows or expanding patio space are just a couple of the ways the enhanced Spruce the Bruce grants could help Bruce County’s downtown businesses.”

Businesses located within a Community Improvement Plan (CIP) designated area are welcome to apply for the grant at brucecounty.on.ca/business/grants/

The grants will be given on a first come, first serve basis until the fund has been exhausted.

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A couple of upcoming webinars are being held to help businesses trying to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic.

On Thursday at 2 p.m., Adam Vander Duim and Greg Blokland, who are both chartered professional accountants with BDO, will be speaking to business owners on resiliency and recovery during COVID-19.

They will speak about government inventive plans for businesses, tax deferrals and other tax planning opportunities and preparing a business to succeed in the recovery process.

The presentation will be followed by a question and answer period.

On Friday, there will be a virtual information session for local businesses to learn more about reopening during the pandemic.

The session is being jointly held by Grey County, Bruce County and the Grey Bruce Health Unit, and will feature Medical Officer of Health Dr. Ian Arra.

Business owners can learn about their requirements when reopening and operating their businesses during the pandemic.

The event is free for businesses in Grey and Bruce counties, with registration a requirement.

Details are available by e-mailing ecdev@grey.ca.

And Grey County is now highlighting PPE suppliers on its Community Business Resiliency Map, so local businesses can find the personal protective equipment they need to keep employees and customers safe.

A link to the map and other resources is available at grey.ca/covid-19-resources

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The Municipality of Brockton will hold a virtual Canada Day celebration due to the pandemic.

The municipality has partnered with the Walkerton Rotary Club and Wightman to hold the virtual celebration, which will include a community celebration video, a community moment uniting neighbourhoods while singing the national anthem, and a display of virtual fireworks.

The Canada Day Committee and municipal staff are seeking community contributions through the video project. Residents and families are encouraged to submit photos or video clips to create the video.

Among the submission options are: wishing Canada a personalized birthday greeting with the family name, featuring red and white items from home; a 1-2 minute video of a family member sharing a Canadian-themed reading, poem, fun activity or talent; or past Canada Day photos.

Those who take videos are asked to use the landscape orientation. Submissions should be e-mailed to recreation@brockton.ca by June 17. Details are available at Brockton.ca/CanadaDay.

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Big Brothers Big Sisters Grey Bruce is raising funds for its services that assist at-risk children and families by taking part in the Great Canadian Giving Challenge for the month of June.

The organization is asking the public to make a donation at www.givingchallenge.ca, with every dollar contributed earning a ballot and increasing the chances of Big Brothers Big Sisters Grey Bruce winning $20,000.

The organization has seen revenue streams shrinking during the pandemic as all of its upcoming traditional fundraising and outreach events are being cancelled, it said in a news release.

It has shifted its service delivery model to create virtual online screening and matching for its Littles and Bigs to protect heir health and safety, and that of its staff and volunteers, the release said.