Two more Grey-Bruce residents have died according to today's Covid-19 Situation Report from the Health Unit. Three more have been hospitalized since yesterday's report, and 9 more health care workers who are Grey-Bruce residents have tested positive for the virus.  That in turn increases absenteeism and puts more demands on those who remain in the front lines.

The Grey Bruce Health Unit is asking everyone to please arrive for your appointment at a vaccination clinic at your scheduled time (not prior to, nor after) to avoid wait times and delays which in turn reduces the risk of COVID-19 transmission and of cold related injuries.

They are happy to announce that the Covid-19 vaccination clinic at Harry Lumley Bayshore in Owen Sound on January 14, 2022 is fully booked. They will not be able to accommodate ANY walk-ins at this clinic. Other mass clinics still have a large number of available appointments. These mass clinics will end on January 21.

According to a media release from the government of Ontario today: "To further encourage voluntary vaccination for children aged 5 to 11, the government has asked school boards to work with local Public Health Units (PHUs) to add school-day vaccination clinics for students (i.e. during instructional hours). In the coming days, parents will receive a form offering the opportunity to safely and conveniently provide public health units the authority to vaccinate their child at a school-based vaccine clinic."

Education Minister Stephen Lecce announced today that millions more rapid antigen tests will be distributed through schools when students return to in-person classes Monday, and a "stable supply" will be available to schools and daycares after that. Medical Officer of Health Dr. Ian Arra has not issued any release to the media on the subject since December 10 when he recommended against using the rapid tests that were sent home with students before the holidays.

Families will only be notified by the Grey Bruce Health Unit when absences at their schools hit 30 per cent for any reason. Limits to lab-based COVID-19 testing and focus on highly vulnerable populations and healthcare workers preclude any more exact information about schools.

Minister Lecce also said that 9.1 million N95 respirator masks were being sent to school boards for staff, and an additional four million three-ply masks for students - equalling two per Ontario student. 3,000 HEPA air filters were being sent to schools in addition to the 70,000 already provided.

sources: media relases, GBHU and Government of Ontario

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