BRANTFORD — Local COVID infections are continuing to increase in the under 20 population.
Dr. Rebecca Comley, Acting Medical Officer of Health for the Brant County Health Unit (BCHU) says that out of the 51 cases, 19 were in those under 20 years of age.
The uptick in youth cases is also consistent with an increase in cases connected to school transportation.
On Monday, the BCHU declared an outbreak on the bus route that serves Onondaga-Brant Public School and Woodman-Cainsville School in Brantford.
According to the provincial guidelines an outbreak is declared when two or more cases can be proved with an epidemiological link in a 14 day period.
There have been four outbreaks declared on school transportation routes since late October.
“It is important for parents or guardians of students using school transportation to reinforce the guidelines that are meant to keep them safe,” said Dr. Comely. “This means remaining seated in their designated spot, wearing a face covering and refraining from eating for the entirety of their trip. COVID-19 spread occurring on transportation routes has the potential to quickly disrupt multiple classes and cohorts. This means it is extremely important that parents/guardians reinforce these key principles to their children.”
As of Sunday, 83 per cent of Brant residents 12 years-of-age and older have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine and 80 per cent have completed the series.
