The top medical official in the region says he was unsure if Niagara would be allowed to enter Stage 3 after the spike in local cases over the weekend, but wasn't surprised.
"It wasn't worrying enough to the province, but I think it adds to the warning signs that things might be increasing here," said Dr. Mustafa Hirji.
He says the 13 cases that were confirmed over the weekend, and Monday's two latest cases had no significant common factor but was a split between close contact spread and community transmission.
No new outbreaks have been reported.
"It was a whole bunch of cases that happened to come in on the same day."
Community spread has been a big concern for Public Health after Niagara entered Stage 2 earlier this summer, and traffic picked up at several local hotspots such as beaches and walking trails.
Most cases are now found in the 20 - 59 age group, regional figures show.
Hirji said Stage 3 will put even more responsibility on the public to adhere to guidelines including hand washing, physical distancing, and wearing a mask when shopping.
"I think that there is some complacency. People feel like there is a smaller risk now because the numbers have dropped. What we saw this weekend should be a reminder that we can't drop our vigilance."
On Thursday the regional council will decide if Niagara should have a face-covering bylaw.
