17 positive COVID-19 tests linked to Vaughan weddings, York Region Public Health says

Pre-, post-wedding events, including 1 at Markham residence, considered high risk for spreading infections

Yorkregion.com
Nov. 12, 2020
John Cudmore

Two weddings in late October and related events have been linked to at least 17 confirmed positive tests for COVID-19, according to York Region Public Health.

The weddings occurred Oct. 28 and 30 at venues in Vaughan. Related activities occurred in other municipalities in private residences.

The case total was based on reports until Nov. 10.

Of the confirmed cases, York Region residents account for 12, and five are Toronto residents.

Between the two weddings, 12 cases attended a pre-event for the Oct. 28 wedding and 16 attended the ceremony for the Oct. 30 wedding. Nine of the cases attended both wedding ceremonies, according to public health.

In the case of the Oct. 28 wedding, a pre-wedding event attended by approximately 14 people was held at a private household in Markham. Public health says attendees did not observe sufficient physical distancing and masking protocols.

Attendees are considered at high risk of exposure.

Additionally, a post-wedding event attended by 10 people at a Markham residence is considered high risk.

The wedding ceremony was held at the Chateau le Jardin, 8440 York Regional Road 27, Vaughan, and attended by between 130 and 140 people. The risk of exposure there is considered low.

A pre-wedding event for the Oct. 30 wedding was attended by an unknown number of participants at a household in Ajax in which physical distancing and masking protocols were not observed. The event is considered a high risk for exposure.

The wedding ceremony was held at Paradise Banquet Hall, 7601 Jane St. Approximately 130 attendees are considered at low risk of exposure.

There was no post-wedding event.

York Region residents in attendance will be contacted by York Region Public Health.

Individuals who attended only the ceremony for either or both weddings are considered to have a low risk exposure to COVID-19.

Public health has been in contact with both banquet halls.

Both weddings took place while York Region was operating under modified Stage 2 restrictions, which limit indoor gatherings to 10 people or less.

Preliminary investigation indicates the facilities adhered to many recommended infection prevention and control practices.

People in the high-risk category are urged to self-isolate and monitor for signs and symptoms for 14 days from the date of the events.

In the case of the Oct. 28 event, 14 days is Nov. 11. For the Oct. 30 wedding, that period extends to Nov. 13.