46 COVID cases linked to wedding in Vaughan

Torontosun.com
October 30, 2020
Antonella Artuso

A large wedding held at a Vaughan hotel two weeks ago has led to 46 confirmed COVID-19 cases.

York Region public health officials said any guests who attended the wedding festivities are at “high risk” of contracting the virus, and all of the 100-plus attendees are being asked to monitor for symptoms and self-isolate for two weeks.

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Dr. Alanna Fitzgerald-Husek, York Region’s deputy medical officer of health, alleges the number of attendees was more than the provincial limit in place at the time and charges are possible.

“We are currently discussing the matter internally and reviewing charges that could be laid,” Fitzgerald-Husek said.

The event took place on Oct. 14, and Oct. 18, at the Avani Event Centre at 8400 Jane St.

“This cluster of COVID-19 infections serves as a reminder of the importance of physical distancing with anyone outside of your immediate household and wearing masks or face coverings in indoor public spaces,” York public health officials said in a statement. “This is the second large cluster of cases linked to a wedding in York Region.”

Of the confirmed cases of COVID-19 reported by public health, 31 are residents of Peel Region. Others are from York Region, Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph, Simcoe Muskoka, Waterloo and Toronto.

The Doug Ford government announced Oct. 16 that York Region would move to a modified Stage 2 due to a rising number of infections, limiting wedding receptions to 10 people indoors and 25 outdoors.

The new restrictions took effect at 12:01 a.m. Oct. 19. Prior to that, York was in stage 3 which allowed gatherings of 50 people outdoors and 25 indoors while confining wedding venues to 30% of regular capacity.

The event hall’s website states the company has taken measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 such as frequent cleaning and mandatory masks and gloves for all staff.

The venue said it has closed its doors for a “deep cleaning and sanitization by a third-party cleaning firm.”