The Town of Saugeen Shores assembled the Emergency Control Group (ECG) Wednesday to review protocols in place to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a March 18 media release, “The ECG gathered to review the actions taken to date in response to COVID-19, as well as to discuss critical service delivery moving forward,” said Mayor Luke Charbonneau. “At this time, most Town services are being delivered; however, municipal facilities are closed to the public," he said.

“Existing emergency planning measures are in place to ensure continued delivery of critical services. The health of our community remains our top priority and we are prepared to deliver services while also protecting our employees and residents,” added the Mayor.

The ECG will meet on a regular basis to review actions taken and to plan for next steps based on information received from public health officials and other expert stakeholders. As well, senior Town staff have been meeting on a daily basis, putting protocols in place to ensure services can be provided with as little interruption as possible.

The Grey Bruce Health Unit (GBHU) confirmed Wednesday that a third case of COVID-19 had been confirmed Wednesday. The virus had been acquired from international travel.

In a GBHU media release, the individual, a 61-year old male resident of Grey Bruce, presented, with symptoms, to a local hospital where testing was ordered. Hospital staff took all necessary precautions to ensure the safety of staff and other patients. The individual was hospitalized and subsequently discharged to home self-isolation. The Grey Bruce Health Unit is investigating any potential contacts this person may have had.

Future local cases will be identified at publichealthgreybruce.on.ca to reflect the provincial posting. "This media release will also serve as notice we will no longer be issuing routine media releases for every case of COVID-19 that should occur in Grey Bruce," read the release. "As we continue to see sporadic cases, the contact tracing and self-isolation of these individuals are effective to ensure a little likelihood of risk to the general public. Furthermore, it may violate patient privacy," it said.