Ontario moves Southwestern Public Health into Yellow tier of COVID-19 Framework
Southwestern Public Health is one of 7 health units that are now in the Yellow-Protect tier of Ontario’s Keeping Ontario Safe and Open Framework for COVID-19.
Based on its current case count and incidence rate of 23.6 cases per 100,000 population, the entire Southwestern Public Health region will be moved to the Yellow-Protect tier at 12:01 a.m. on Monday, November 16. The measures in this stage are meant to reduce the number of cases with the fewest negative impact on business and the community. It is expected this stage will remain in effect for at least 28 days.
“We support the province’s decision to move our region into this stage, because it adds further protections to those already in place,” says Dr. Joyce Lock, Medical Officer of Health at Southwestern Public Health. “Our cases have risen by more than 50 since November 1. We need to lower this number so that we don’t overwhelm our health care system, and we don’t see the illness and death associated with this virus.”
On November 6, the Province of Ontario introduced the Framework to categorize public health regions into five levels: Green-Prevent, Yellow-Protect, Orange-Restrict, Red-Control, and Lockdown as an urgent measure.
The Yellow-Protect tier has the same restrictions in place as the Green-Prevent tier, with the addition of additional restrictions for:
- Bars, restaurants, food premises, meeting and event spaces
- Sports and recreational fitness activities
- Retail
- Personal care services
- Cinemas, performing arts facilities, casinos, bingo halls and gaming establishments
Ontario evaluates each health unit’s data weekly to determine the number of cases per 100,000 people, how many tests come back positive, case increase rates, outbreak severity, and frequency of community transmission. The Province works with health units to move them in and out of tiers based on these factors to lessen the risk of transmission in each region.
See the Ontario.ca website for a full overview of Yellow-Protect restrictions.
About Southwestern Public Health
Southwestern Public Health works with its partners to ensure the health of the whole community. Our programs respond to public health emergencies; promote healthy lifestyles; help prevent injuries, illness and disease in the community; and promote positive change and social conditions that improve health. Southwestern Public Health delivers mandated programs under the Ontario Public Health Standards and is regulated by the Ontario Health Protection and Promotion Act. The health unit maintains primary locations in Woodstock and St. Thomas. For more information, visit www.swpublichealth.ca.
Contacts
Megan Cornwell
Communications Manager | Southwestern Public Health
519-631-9900 x 1259 | 1-800-922-0096
mcornwell@swpublichealth.ca