'Threat isn't over': Stay home, work on the lawn this weekend, York Region public health urges

While new cases of COVID-19 are declining, the medical officer of health wants you to continue to stay close to home, practise physical distancing and wear a mask

Newmarkettoday.ca
May 16, 2020
Debora Kelly

While new cases of COVID-19 are "definitely" declining in York Region, the medical officer of health is urging residents to continue to stay close to home as much as possible -- and to cancel the trip to the cottage for the long weekend if you have one planned.

"As we approach the long weekend, many of you are likely to be going to cottages. We urge that you reconsider your decisions. It is important that we assist our communities in the rural parts of Ontario, (as) they do not have access to the health-care services that we do in the urban areas," Dr. Karim Kurji said in a York Region public health's COVID-19 video update today.

"Also, when we stop for gas or groceries, it is possible we could convey COVID-19 to the local population because remember, we are infectious two days prior to the onset of symptoms."

"I hope that many of you will stay at home," Kurji said, suggesting the long weekend is the perfect time to do chores around the house.

He plans on working on his lawn if the weather cooperates.

While the number of institutional outbreaks is also slowly declining -- they are closed at two-fifths of the more than 50 facilities with outbreaks -- the number of exposures in York Region workplaces is steadily increasing.

That increase isn't readily apparent in public health's publicly shared database because it is tracking cases in York Region residents.

Many of the people who work in York Region live outside the region, Kurji said.

Public health is partnering with the region's chambers of commerce and municipalities to assist businesses in opening safely, both for the public and employees, he added.

The medical officer of health is again urging residents and employers to "remain vigilant."

"I wish to emphasize that the threat of COVID-19 isn't over yet. Seven per cent of those who have tested positive in York Region has, unfortunately, passed away," Kurji said.

It's still crucial to practise physical distancing from individuals who are not in your household, as well as to wash your hands frequently.

And if you can't maintain physical distancing, wear a two-layer cloth face mask.

If you have symptoms, even mild ones, you're encouraged to go to the assessment centres at one of the region's three hospitals.