Kingston, Ont. health unit limits gatherings to five people amid rising COVID-19 cases
The Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox & Addington (KFL&A) Public Health unit is clamping down on gatherings amid a dramatic rise in COVID-19 cases in the region.
Medical officer of health Dr. Piotr Oglaza issued a Section 22 class order Monday to prohibit large gatherings. It also places new restrictions on indoor dining and alcohol sales at certain hours.
“Cases are increasing at a concerning rate and it is clear we must take further action to protect our community,” Oglaza said in a press release. “We are issuing this class order and asking everyone to adhere to these social gathering limitations.”
The order comes into effect at 6 p.m. Monday and will remain in place until 11:59 a.m. the following Monday, Dec. 20.
Under the order, residents of the KFL&A region are prohibited from hosting or attending indoor or outdoor social gatherings or organized public events with more than five people.
Businesses that offer food and drink must also adhere to the following rules:
- Be closed to the public for indoor dining from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. Pick up and take out is permitted.
- Not sell or serve alcohol except between 12 p.m. and 9 p.m. No consumption of alcohol is permitted in the business or place between the hours of 10 p.m. to 12 p.m.
- Ensure all patrons are seated when served. Pick up and take out is exempt from this requirement.
- Seat no more than four (4) persons to a table.
- Not allow dancing, singing, or live performances of music. Volume of music is low enough to allow for normal conversation.
“We have come so far, and as we provide increasing immunity to our community through immunization, we must all be vigilant and keep our community safe. We all have a responsibility to adhere to public health measures—monitor for symptoms, stay home when ill, reduce social contacts, and avoid social gatherings,” Oglaza said.
Failure to comply with these new restrictions can result in fines of up to $5,000 for every day or part of a day on which the offence occurs or continues.
The health unit announced Monday afternoon that the region has 908 active COVID-19 cases, up from 618 on Friday. Of those, 35 people are in hospital, with 14 in the ICU. Nine people are on ventilators.
The region has seen 350.3 new cases per 100,000 population in the last seven days. For comparison, Ottawa has seen 56.4 cases per 100,000 population in the last seven days, while Toronto's weekly incidence rate is 29.5 per 100,000.
Oglaza told reporters Monday during a press conference that KFL&A Public Health has identified 263 suspected cases of the Omicron variant, which must be confirmed through genetic testing. Oglaza says Omicron will soon become the dominant strain within the region.
He said the most important thing anyone can do is receive a COVID-19 vaccine booster shot if they are eligible. Oglaza added that the new restrictions are meant to help break the chain of infection in the region.
"I've introduced measures in Kingston to address specific patterns of risk and spread that are really intended to get better control of the local situation," he said. "Whether or not these measures would be appropriate or applicable for the rest of the province, it is impossible to say right now. These are the measures that are intended to balance that reduced risk with the need to preserve vital function of society and our community. We may not have that dire need for a lockdown at this point, but we certainly have need for some very specific measures to reduce social interactions and minimize the risk of spread."
Late last week, KFL&A Public Health issued new self-isolation guidelines.
Queen's University declared a COVID-19 outbreak in the student community and cancelled all in-person exams.
On Monday. St. Lawrence College said final exams would shift to alternative delivery starting Tuesday, while smaller in-person lab tests will proceed on campus as planned. Campus buildings remain open with all current public health and safety measures in place but campus access remains closed to the general public.
The Limestone District School Board announced Monday eight schools would pivot to online learning because of staffing pressures due to COVID-19.
The following schools are affected:
- Module de l'Acadie
- Amherstview Public School
- Storrington Public School
- Southview Public School
- Bath Public School
- Polson Park Public School
- Odessa Public School
- Molly Brant Elemetary School
With files from Newstalk 580 CFRA's Zach McGibbon.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW Pack the macaroni necklace: Lessons on evacuations from a woman who fled one of Canada's worst wildfires
Carol Christian had 15 minutes to evacuate her home during the Fort McMurray wildfires in 2016. She ended up losing the house and everything inside. Now, she wants to share the lessons she learned.
NEW 'Ugly produce': One way Canadians are shrinking rising grocery bills
As the cost of food in Canada has risen, grocery shoppers are looking at ways to reduce their grocery bill, and more are choosing price over beauty, turning to companies that deliver so-called 'misfit' produce at a fraction of the cost.
Child under 5 dies of measles in Ontario: PHO
A young child has died of measles in the province, a new surveillance report from Public Health Ontario confirms.
Think twice before sharing 'heartbreaking' social media posts, RCMP warn
Mounties in B.C. are urging people to think twice before sharing "heartbreaking posts" on social media.
Trudeau calls New Brunswick's Conservative government a 'disgrace' on women's rights
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau assailed New Brunswick's premier and other conservative leaders on Thursday, calling out the provincial government's position on abortion, LGBTQ youth and climate change.
Wildfires burning across Canada: Communities threatened as flames creep closer
Thousands of residents fled Fort McMurray this week, fearing a repeat of the 2016 wildfire that forced out the entire community and torched more than 2,400 homes.
Miller scores late as Canucks grind out 3-2 win over Oilers in Game 5
J.T. Miller scored in the final minute of the game and the Vancouver Canucks came back for a 3-2 victory over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 5 of their second-round playoff series Thursday.
Father charged with second-degree murder in daughter's stabbing death
A father has been charged with second-degree murder in the stabbing death of his 34-year-old daughter in southern Quebec.
Most Canadians support abortion, one-third see Tories as least supportive: poll
Eight in 10 Canadians back a woman's right to an abortion and two in three don't want the notwithstanding clause used to restrict access to abortions, a new poll suggests.