Kingston, Ont., limits indoor private gatherings to 10 people as COVID-19 cases rise
Indoor social gatherings in the Kingston area are being limited to 10 people as the city sees a spike in new COVID-19 cases.
Medical officer of health Dr. Piotr Oglaza has issued a Section 22 class order, implementing indoor social gathering restrictions in private dwellings within Kingston, Frontenac, and Lennox and Addington.
"COVID-19 cases in the KFL&A region are rising and we know that nearly half of our cases are acquired in the household setting," Dr. Oglaza said in a statement.
"Reducing indoor gathering limits in private dwellings is prudent and necessary to prevent illness and the spread of COVID-19."
Effective Saturday at 12:01 a.m., indoor gatherings are capped at 10 people, including the residents of the home.
Anyone hosting social gatherings in a private home must maintain a list of names and contact information for guests, and provide it to Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington Public Health within 24 hours of the request.
Speaking with reporters Friday afternoon, Dr. Oglaza said new measures are needed to curb the spread of COVID in the community.
"We are in the middle of the fourth wave, we have to alter our behaviour," said Dr. Oglaza.
Across Ontario, social gathering limits are 25 people for indoor private dwellings.
Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington Public Health reported 32 new cases of COVID-19 on Friday, 36 cases on Thursday, 40 new cases on Wednesday and 35 cases on Tuesday.
The region's top doctor says the new measures will be in place as long as needed, aiming to curb pre-holiday parties over the next few weeks.
Dr. Oglaza is hopeful they can be removed by Christmas Day in one month.
"We can still work together to make that happen. If we see cases doing down, we still have a chance."
The indoor gathering limit at private residences of 10 people is the second health measure introduced this week in a bid to limit the spread of COVID-19 in the Kingston area.
On Wednesday, Dr. Oglaza announced that as of Dec. 6, everyone ages 12 to 17 who attends an indoor area of a sports facility for participating in an organized sport must provide proof of receiving one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. All participants must be fully vaccinated by Feb. 25.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'A beautiful soul': Funeral held for baby boy killed in wrong-way crash on Highway 401
A funeral was held on Wednesday for a three-month-old boy who died after being involved in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 in Whitby last week.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his brain more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.
Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Quebec premier defends new museum on Quebecois nation after Indigenous criticism
Quebec Premier Francois Legault is defending his comments about a new history museum after he was accused by a prominent First Nations group of trying to erase their history.
Blind Sask. boy heading to international braille competition hopes to increase accessibility for visually impaired
A Saskatchewan boy who qualified for an international braille competition in Los Angeles next month hopes he can inspire change in his home province.
'A step forward': New screening criteria for sperm donors takes effect
Canadians looking to grow their families with the assistance of sperm or egg donations should soon have more options for donors as the federal health agency does away with longstanding restrictions criticized as discriminatory.
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.