Health officials are expecting a bump in the numbers of COVID-19 in Niagara this week as many travelers return home from March break or returning snowbirds coming back from their winter getaways.
As per federal guidelines, anyone returning from abroad must self-isolate for 14 days.
The mayor of Prescott, a border town south of Ottawa, also crossing over from New York state, made a statement on Monday pleading travelers immideately go home, and not stop and shop on the way.
As of Monday afternoon, Niagara region only had 4 confirmed cases of COVID-19 - but Niagara Region medical officer, Mustafa Hirji told Thorold News that he is expecting this wave of travelers to lead to new cases.
“An overwhelming amount of cases in Ontario are related to travel. There are also some pockets in Ontario where there is evidence of local spread, which eventually will cross over municipal borders,” Dr. Hirji said.
What is more concerning are the reports he is receiving of Niagara residents not adhering to the grequent calls of social distancing, and still appearing in crowded functions.
“If people are not out and about it will impact our social life, and businesses will shut down. This is quite hard on them. A lot of people are strugglig right now making ends meet, and this issue will be exacerbated by the spread,” he contined.
Now, Hirji calls for continuing to follow the provincial- and federal guidelines that run on repeat in the media as more and more of society is being shut down.
“This is also a good opportunity to support people in your community, for example if you know someone who is unable to work. Also think about ther guidelines when it comes to the elderly. They are still the ones hardest affected by COVID-19. Keep the emotional closeness, but the physical distance.”
