Region enacts new health measures for individuals, businesses

As the rate of new cases of COVID-19 continues to rise across Ontario and here at home, the Region of York has issued additional health measures to help curb the spread of the virus.

New measures issued under a Section 22 Class Order from Dr. Karim Kurji, York Region's Medical Officer of Health, came into effect just after midnight this past Saturday, September 4.

Under the new rules, all York Region residents diagnosed with or who test positive for COVID-19, exhibiting symptoms, awaiting test results, or who are advised by York Region Public Health to isolate as a close contact must isolate immediately in their home or an isolation facility away from others.

Individuals who fall into these categories will need to remain in isolation as directed by Public Health guidelines.

“If you have been diagnosed with COVID-19 or believe you have COVID-19, the isolation period is 10 days from the date your symptoms began,” says Patrick Casey, Director of Corporate Communications for the Region. “If you have signs and symptoms of COVID-19, isolation is 10 days from the date your symptoms began unless a negative test result is received. If you are a close contact of a person diagnosed with COVID-19, you must isolate for 10 days from the date of your last exposure.”

The new orders also put more stringent rules on business owners and anyone hosting public gatherings in private residences or commercial facilities throughout York Region.

The rules require anyone of these hosts to keep a list of names and contact information for all attendees which must be provided to York Region Public Health upon request. They must also provide the Public Health Unit with any other information that is requested about the gathering for case management purposes and contact tracing within 24 hours of the request.

They must also ensure that all requirements for gatherings set out in the Reopening Ontario Act and local regulations are met.

“Failure to comply with any of these new measures may result in charges under the Health Protection and Promotion Act and fines of up to $5,000 for every day the offence occurs,” says Casey.

LOCAL STATS

Cases of COVID-19 continue to rise in Aurora with 31 active cases as of Tuesday, September 7.

Since the start of the pandemic, the community has seen a total of 1,969 confirmed cases of the virus, 1,890 of which are now marked as recovered.

There have been 48 fatalities attributed to the virus.

Of the 31 active cases, 26 are related to local transmission, close contact, or unknown exposure, 3 to institutional exposure, and 2 to workplace outbreak.

59.2 per cent of local cases between August 31 and September 7 were among the unvaccinated residents aged 12 and up who are eligible to receive their vaccines.

By Brock Weir
Editor
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter