Ontario government hints additional regions could return to Stage 2

Ontario’s health officials are expected to meet in order to reach a decision on whether or not other regions across the province will revert back to modified Stage 2 restrictions.

Associate Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Barbara Yaffe, confirmed on Wednesday that her team will gather in the coming days.

“The percent positivity (rate) is only one indicator we look at. We look at the case rate per-100,000 population, we look at all sorts of other factors,” Yaffe said.

“The public health measures team is meeting again later this week and they will be considering the data for all of the health units in Ontario and whether any changes need to be made for any of them and, of course, positivity rates would be part of that consideration.”

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York Region is one area Yaffe said is currently being monitored after it saw its daily COVID-19 cases increase from 42 to 79.

 

Hamilton is another as that district saw its numbers rise from 15 to 41 new cases.

This comes after SPINCO – a popular cycling studio in Hamilton – reported a COVID-19 outbreak that affected at least 69 patrons and staff.

Yaffe said the SPINCO outbreak is concerning and has led to reconsideration of advice around fitness centres.

“Even though they followed guidelines there was obviously significant transmission, so I think we do need to review the guidelines and that’s in process,” she added.

Ontario’s seven-day rolling average for percent positivity is currently measured at 2.2 per cent.

Last week, the Ford government introduced targeted public health measures in hotspots such as Toronto, Peel Region and Ottawa.

These modified Stage 2 restrictions will be enforced for a minimum of 28 days and reviewed afterwards.