City of Vaughan employee has COVID-19, Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua confirms

Staff member's close contacts test negative for disease

Yorkregion.com
Sept. 10, 2020
Dina Al-Shibeeb

A City of Vaughan employee has COVID-19, but their contacts tested negative for the novel coronavirus, Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua confirmed Sep. 9 after a news tip to YorkRegion.com about a possible outbreak at City Hall.

"Regretfully, I can confirm a City employee has tested positive for the virus," Bevilacqua said in an email. "They are self-isolating. I wish them a speedy recovery."

The news comes after the City of Vaughan made an announcement in early August that most of its facilities, including City Hall, will stay closed to the public until 2021, despite Ontario allowing the city to move to Stage 3 of reopening.

"We can also confirm that test results have returned negative for those employees who came in close contact with the one staff member with COVID-19," Bevilacqua said.

"Our staff are working with York Region Public Health to ensure all necessary steps and precautions are taken."

On Sep. 4 and 5, public health made announcements about new COVID-19 cases, ranging from a "low risk" YRT VIVA passenger case, to a large wedding in multiple locations in the GTA.

On Sep. 8, public health reported 10 new cases in York Region for the previous 24 hours -- four from Vaughan, three from Markham, one from Whitchurch-Stouffville, one from Aurora, and one from Georgina.

Bevilacqua also explained that City Hall was specially disinfected following the revelation that a staff member contracted COVID-19.

"This response is in addition to the increased cleaning and disinfecting protocols that have been ongoing since COVID-19 emerged," the mayor said.

"While we have come a long way, it is clear our journey is not over yet. The health, safety and well-being of all members of the community -- including city staff -- remains my No. 1 priority as we continue to respond to COVID-19."

The mayor also reiterated how Vaughan was the first city in Ontario to declare a state of emergency.

"The city has taken a disciplined, responsible and measured approach to closing -- and gradually reopening -- city facilities and amenities," he added.