Time is running out to turn the curve back down in time for Christmas, jeopardizing the opportunity to celebrate with friends and family in person.
That is the message from the region's acting medical officer of health, Dr. Mustafa Hirji, on Tuesday as NRPH reported 26 new cases of COVID-19.
"The trajectory over the past few weeks has not been a good one," said Hijri.
"Social interactions continue to circulate the virus, and people are bringing it back to their households and end up infecting more."
Hirji said the last week has followed the same pattern as largely seen in the second wave;
Most cases are found outside long-term care, and people in their 20s and early 30s are the main drivers of the spread of the virus.
Hirji said 10 of the 26 cases on Tuesday had previously had contact with a positive case.
"One thing we are seeing is that the virus is starting to creep up slightly in the 40 - 60 age group, which we believe is that the younger population is starting to infect their parents and grandparents," Hirji said.
As of Monday Niagara was put in the orange 'Restrict'-level of the heavily criticized new rating system from the province's top health department.
Should the curve be declining, Niagara could revert back to the lower yellow level in around four weeks, at the earliest.
But Hirji said there is a large risk that Niagara will be placed under the red category sooner rather than later, as more than one threshold that the province has set up is already exceeded by the health unit.
Restaurants and bars have been named as one of the prime venues where the virus is passed within friend groups out dining or having a drink.
As a response, Hirji issued a Section 22-order late last week, putting additional restrictions on who can dine at the same table, and amping up requirements on bars and restaurants in their health measures, as well as prohibiting liquor sales after 10 p.m.
An online petition, calling on the region to rescind the Section 22-order has racked up more than 2700 signatures.
Hirji said he understands the desperation felt by the bar- and restaurant owners but says he stands by the decision.
"As the Premier is saying, Ontario is staring down the barrel of a lockdown. We want to make sure the numbers go down before that happens. It is unfortunate that restaurants seem to be the venue. They have been operating with so many restrictions for a long time now. I sympathize a lot with them, but at the end of the day, we are in a global pandemic. We have had eight people die in Niagara, only halfway through this month."
