Local journalism initiative

The second lockdown came after hospitals sounded alarm bells

Despite efforts by the York area to prevent a second lockdown, residents have been embarking on just that as the number of new infections with COVID-19 rises and the clock runs out on the holidays. The York area was locked for the second time on Monday, December 14, just after midnight due to the COVID-19 pandemic, after the province announced it would move both the York area and Windsor into the gray area. “Over the past week, public health indicators in the York and Windsor regions have continued to move in the wrong direction and it is clear that additional measures are needed to limit the spread of the virus,” said Dr. David Williams, Chief Medical Officer of Health, on Dec. 11. “By making this difficult but necessary decision, we can ensure that hospitals in these regions can work to provide patients with the care they need when they need it, including performing scheduled surgeries and other critical procedures.” The move came just days after hospitals in the York area, including the Southlake Regional Health Center, issued a joint statement saying they had reached a “turning point” in dealing with the virus. “We have a turning point in our efforts to manage COVID-19 reaches -related levels in our hospitals, “they said.” With the number of COVID-19 patients admitted to our hospitals increasing significantly over the past week, we are concerned about how this could affect access to care such as scheduled surgeries for all patients in our communities. “We count That our communities help ensure that our staff, doctors, and volunteers continue to be sure they can continue to care for those who rely on us for care, COVID-related illnesses and non-COVID-related illnesses and emergencies . While we’ve seen close collaboration between health organizations across the York area to help prepare for and manage the second wave of COVID-19, now more than ever, we need the support of our communities to keep our public health guidelines vigilant to obey when slowing down it spread out. Staff, doctors and volunteers are doing all they can to continue to care for patients and their families, but “the increasing pressures of COVID-19 are taking a toll on many. “We have to do better for them and for everyone as a community. We ask you to always wear a mask in public and when you cannot physically distance yourself and to avoid social gatherings. We know that the greatest potential for this virus to spread is for people to interact in groups of all sizes. In order to slow the spread, we need to avoid these interactions. We recognize that avoiding social gatherings, especially on vacation, is a personal sacrifice, but we must do everything we can to protect our entire community and maintain access to our health services. “This statement was quoted on Friday by Health Secretary – and Newmarket-Aurora MPP – Christine Elliott when asked why only York and Windsor were moved to the gray area. “If the numbers increase in a certain area, [Dr. Williams] speaks to the local health officer to get his or her point of view on this situation and if they think they should take stricter measures, ”she said. “They also take a look at hospital stay rates, the number of people in intensive care, the number of people on ventilators, and so on. I know that in certain parts of the province, in the York area, for example, hospitals said they were at the turning point. There are a number of factors to consider and this is why York was advised to lock down in this situation. “Now that the ban has been reached, it is illegal to meet someone in the house you live with a lot and contact must be confined to your household and at least six feet away from everyone else. If you live alone, you can only have close contact with one other household. Gatherings indoors are no longer permitted. Outdoor gatherings are limited to 10 people with reasonable physical distance. Residents are asked to go out only for essential reasons such as work, school, groceries, pharmacy trips, health care, helping the vulnerable, and exercise and physical activity. All businesses must screen their employees for COVID-19, limit capacity so guests can stay at least two meters apart, and restaurants, bars, and similar establishments only need to offer takeout, drive-through, and delivery services. All internal and external services will be discontinued. “Aurora’s Chamber of Commerce is concerned with the safety of residents and the survival of local businesses,” said Sandra Ferri, president and CEO of the Aurora Chamber of Commerce. “We continue to monitor how the lockdown is managed in relation to problem areas, particularly how large retailers carrying essential and non-essential goods remain open to the public’s shopping experience while small retailers are asked to close the lockdown or make a delivery to switch / curb pick-up model. “Most small retailers thrive during the holiday season. If this opportunity is taken from them, they are vulnerable to an uncertain future. “Mayor Mrakas added in a statement,” Our small businesses need to close their doors to the public and only offer roadside pick-up. The impact on our local businesses will be immeasurable, especially during the holiday season. Therefore, I encourage local residents who are able to order take-away, shop locally online, and support our businesses. “Residents, he said, can access a directory of local businesses and support local businesses through exploreaurora.ca.Brock Weir, reporter for Local Journalism Initiative, The Auroran