UPDATE: Town of Georgina employees test positive for COVID-19

Georgina Civic Centre remains closed to the public after COVID-19 cases reported

Yorkregion.com
July 7, 2020
Amanda Persico

Georgina has now been added to the region’s ongoing list of workplace cluster cases of COVID-19.

Two town employees have tested positive for the coronavirus.

According to the town, neither employee worked directly with the public, as the Civic Centre has been closed to the public since March.

“At every step through this process, the town has taken the health and safety of staff members seriously,” said David Reddon, the town's chief administrative officer, in a statement.

“The town continues its work of ensuring a safe workplace through physical distancing, the use of masks and increased cleaning protocols in the building.”

According to the town, York Region public health has given the town the green light, as the "COVID-19 outbreak at this location is declared over and normal activities can resume."

According to York Region public health, COVID-19 positive test results were received June 19 and 20, with the onset of symptoms starting June 10 and 13 respectively.

As of June 24, there are a total of 151 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Georgina, with 104 resolved or recovered cases, 11 current active cases and 36 COVID-19-related deaths.

The Civic Centre building has undergone a deep cleaning and disinfecting by a third party, including cleaning all offices, touchpoints, door handles, desks and keyboards.

Those in close contact with the infected employees have been advised to self-isolate for 14 days and to get tested.

“From the beginning, we have reinforced the message of frequent handwashing, using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, staying home if you do not feel well and limiting social gatherings based on direction from the province."

As of June 21, there are 17 open and another 52 closed workplace clusters of COVID-19 cases in York Region, ranging from retail stores to industrial plants and office buildings.

Those workplace clusters amount to 475 individual COVID-19 cases, of which less than 80 cases are York Region residents; more than 350 reside outside York Region.

Workplace clusters across York Region make up about 4 per cent of positive COVID-19 cases across York Region.