The Renfrew County and District Health Unit (RCDHU) has declared the Barry’s Bay Area a COVID-19 hotspot in Renfrew County and District
Since January 1st, 2021, the Barry’s Bay area has had 27 cases of COVID-19 whereas the remainder of Renfrew County and District has totalled only 47.
This is 36% of all the cases, in an area with only 12% of the total population in RCD.
Renfrew County and District Health Unit advocated to the Government of Ontario to move back to the Green Category of the COVID-19 Response Framework, along with only two other regions in the province.
RCDHU Acting Medical Officer of Health Dr. Robert Cushman highlighted that our cases dropped dramatically early in the new year, and that we could reopen the local economy without danger.
Dr. Cushman says the exception is the Barry’s Bay area which surprisingly has seen more COVID-19 cases in 2021, than all of last year. He adds this is worrying.
Cushman says while there is no obvious direct cause and effect link, and the spread has mostly been within families, we have to ask, why is this area not following the downward trend we see across the rest of Renfrew County and District.
Dr. Cushman says unfortunately, this area has also been the source of frequent complaints from local merchants about customers who do not comply with the mask/face covering requirements. The Acting Medical Officer of Health adds the health unit has also heard about anti-mask demonstrations, and concerns about post-secondary students not complying.
Cushman says Renfrew County and District has been classified as a Green Zone for over a week now. Businesses are finally getting the chance to open again, to employ their workers, and to serve their customers delayed needs.
Cushman says the last thing we want to do is to jeopardize our status and clamp down yet again on the economy, or possibly implement more stringent rules in the neighbourhood of Barry’s Bay.
He adds this is concerning as it will be a challenge with forecasts of a third wave driven by COVID-19 variants that are more infectious and spread quicker than the original strains of the virus.
Constant attention needs to be paid to masking, distancing and proper hygiene.
Cushman states what stands out amongst the latest cases is the number of contacts and the additional spread. COVID-19 is a very social virus, especially the new strains and it goes without saying that we need strict adherence to our household and workplace contacts to limit the spread.
The Acting Medical Officer of Health is urging everyone and especially the folks living in the Barry’s Bay area to be vigilant to protect themselves, others and the economy.