Since Grey Bruce Health Unit (GBHU) reported five new cases of COVID-19 in a single 24 hour period on Monday, April 6, seven new cases have been confirmed in the two counties.

A man in his 60s was reported to be isolated April 10; two new cases were reported April 9, a man and a woman, both in their 40s and both self-isolating; a man in his 60s was reported April 8; and three women April 7, one in her 90s, one in her 80s and one in her 70s, were all reported to be isolated.

This brings the April 10 cumulative total to 33. One case is currently hospitalized and ten are recorded as recovered.

Nine cases are reported among Health Care Providers and the number of Long-Term Care facility outbreaks remains at one.

The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases has now reached a point that allows GBHU to release location data while preventing potential stigmatization of one location, read an April 10 media release.

Of the 33 total cases, Owen Sound is seeing the highest number in Grey County with 17, West Grey and Grey Highlands are at three cases apiece, Southgate has two confirmed and Georgian Bluffs and Meaford sit at one each.

In Bruce County, Saugeen Shores and South Bruce Peninsula have two cases each while Huron Kinloss and Kincardine each has one confirmed.

While the list indicates the location where confirmed cases reside, the location of where these cases acquired the disease is unknown, and it is safe to presume that every location in Grey and Bruce is potentially affected, something known as "community spread."

Confirmed community spread means the virus exists in many locations and knowledge of the home municipalities should not provide any reassurance. There are presumed cases in every municipality and with community spread, there is a level of risk associated with any location.

Medical Officer of Health, Dr Ian Arra, is strongly recommending against all non-essential travel to and from Bruce and Grey counties. “If you are already in Grey Bruce, residents or visitors alike, stay home and exercise appropriate social and physical distancing. We all ought to do this to break the chain of transmission.”

Arra has made these recommendations to protect the health and safety of all Grey Bruce residents and visitors, read the release. Every social interaction that does not take place will help in preventing the transmission of COVID-19, and in turn prevent spreading the virus to vulnerable groups, including older adults and people with pre-existing health conditions.

Grey Bruce Health Unit is now releasing the location details for each of the 33 confirmed cases of COVID-19 but says there are risks associated with every location. 

This information was last updated April 20, 2020.