York Region not following Toronto, Peel decision to close workplaces with 5 COVID-19 cases

Dr. Karim Kurji opts for better contact tracing and expanded, targeted vaccines instead

Yorkregion.com
April 22, 2021
Kim Zarzour

York Region won’t be following the lead of Toronto and Peel and ordering businesses closed that have five or more COVID-19 cases.

The two regions issued Section 22 orders this week requiring workplaces with five or more cases of the virus over the past two weeks to close for 10 days while all employees self-isolate.

Dr. Karim Kurji, York Region’s medical officer of health, said he will not be issuing a similar directive at this time.

“York Region Public Health continues to persevere with our strong case and contact management for workplace outbreaks and aggressive vaccination strategy,” region spokesperson Patrick Casey stated in an email to YorkRegion.com

Isaac Bogoch, an epidemiologist and member of Ontario’s vaccination task force, called the action by Toronto and Peel critical to limiting the spread of COVID-19 in workplaces.

Ontario’s science advisory table appeared to take the same approach, issuing a media release saying only “truly” essential workplaces should remain open and that paid sick leave for essential workers is critical to curbing the virus’ spread.

The group of scientific experts and health system leaders also called for ramped-up vaccination of essential workers and those in hot spots, an approach favoured by York Region.

Rather than focus on shutdowns, Kurji is expanding vaccine eligibility in areas with workplace outbreaks.

Residents age 35+ in five initial high priority communities --four in the City of Vaughan (L4L, L4K, L4J, L6A) and one in the City of Markham (L3S) are now eligible for immunization.

“We know there are many essential workers in these areas,” Casey said. “York Region has data on over 400 workplace outbreaks and we shortlisted several essential workplaces based on risk factors, including number of cases of COVID-19, number of confirmed outbreaks and type of business like product or food manufacturing.”

The region is rolling out vaccines to these essential workplaces through mobile/pop-up clinics. Further vaccine eligibility will be introduced for additional high priority areas within York Region as vaccine supply and capacity permits, balanced within the ongoing vaccination of existing and new eligible priority groups, Casey said.

Toronto and Peel have the highest case counts in the province, with 1,249 new cases reported in Toronto today, 771 in Peel, 386 in York Region, 276 in Hamilton and 214 in Durham.

Throughout the pandemic, York’s public health unit has been an outlier, taking a consistent approach with respect to balancing COVID-19 concerns with that of the local economy and mental health.

Kurji has faced backlash and criticism for this approach, but regional council maintains its support, issuing a statement of confidence April 15.

“Dr. Kurji’s philosophy throughout the pandemic is to treat our whole community as the patient,” said the statement signed by chairperson Wayne Emmerson on behalf of local mayors and regional councillors.

“This approach has allowed York Region to take targeted action to reduce harms without inflicting new ones and better balance health and safety with economic vitality.”