The number of COVID-19 cases is steadily increasing across the province, and the same can be seen in Grey-Bruce.
Grey-Bruce Medical Officer of Health Dr. Ian Arra says the increase in cases is most noticeable in high risk settings, such as long-term care and retirement homes, as well as hospitals. As of Friday, there were 17 active COVID-19 outbreaks at facilities in Grey-Bruce.
“There’s an increase also in hospitalizations and in the number of outbreaks we are managing. There has been an increase in deaths related to COVID,” said Arra. “Most of the cases related to deaths over the past nine months have been related to people who, because of age or multiple difficulties due to other diseases, they died and they died with the diagnosis of COVID, not necessarily because of COVID.”
He says the Omicron variant circulating is less severe than past strains, and the current bivalent vaccines being offered continue to be the public’s best defence.
While the number of booster dose vaccinations in Grey-Bruce is on par with the rest of southwestern Ontario, Dr. Arra encourages all eligible residents to continue getting the shot.
“Stay up to with vaccines, get the new bivalent vaccine, and stay home when you’re sick. Those are the two main messages from me to the public,” said Dr. Arra.
Dr. Arra suggests masking in crowded areas if you’re unable to distance yourself, washing your hands, and staying home if you feel unwell.