How Niagara residents choose to behave now will determine the future of Christmas.
That is the message from the region’s top doctor after 40 cases were confirmed in Niagara over the weekend.
While the numbers are high, Dr. Mustafa Hirji said most cases are still linked back to previously known patients who have tested positive for COVID-19, enforcing the notion that the spread of the virus in the region has not spiraled out of control.
“We are still seeing people who are having many contacts still,” said Hirji to ThoroldNews.
“We are still in the 10 - 12 case range per day. We will see in the next few days if we will stay there, or if the numbers will go up.”
Hirji said the latter scenario is more likely, judging from neighboring Halton and Hamilton, branded as ‘hotspots’ for the infection.
While full lockdown or domestic travel restrictions are not on the agenda right now, Hirji said it could be necessary for the region to revert back to Stage 2 of the provincial reopening, to once again take away the opportunities for people to congregate.
“I hope we will continue to focus on voluntary measures, making sure that people physically distance, keep their social contacts to people within their households, wash their hands and sanitize often, and get tested for mild symptoms,” Hirji said.
The last part hasn’t quite caught on, he added, after cases continue to emerge days after they have come down with typical symptoms, but despite that going to work or social functions.
He said that Niagara now is approaching a breaking point, where the future of Christmas might be determined.
“We don’t know what we can expect yet. It is certainly a possibility that Christmas might be like Thanksgiving, where we can celebrate with our household but not with our family. But we could also see a scenario where we can double down on our efforts to bring the numbers down. If we do that, we might be able to allow bigger gatherings again.”
