PEEL WORKS TO KEEP TRENDS AND HOSPITALIZATIONS STABLE

For what seems like the first time throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Peel Region's current case trends and incidence rates are something to envy.

As much of the province faces rising case counts, conditions in Peel remain low and favourable — though there is a chance for that to change quickly.

Speaking to reporters at the Nov. 10 COVID-19 news conference for Brampton, Dr. Lawrence Loh said northern public health units are seeing an increase, but that Peel has remained safe over the last week.

Brampton's test positivity is at 1.6 per cent with an incidence rate of 13.5 per 100,000, confirmed the region's medical officer of health.

However, Loh noted that outbreaks have been reported at "certain banquet halls and nightclubs," with many being linked to "noncompliance with the precautions, notably screening, masking and vaccine certificate regulations."

Specifically, he said that noncompliance with certificate programs has put the unvaccinated atrisk in these public settings.

"When know people come to Peel from Ontario and beyond to work, place and celebrate life events in these venues, that means that with the provincial picture outside of Peel trending upwards overall and the land border with the United States now open again, we must remain doubly vigilant with the precautions," said Loh.

Residents are encouraged to get tested immediately if the feel unwell and to not visit anyone in-person while continuing to wear masks.

The province reported 642 new cases of COVID-19 on Nov. 11 with an additional five deaths, while Peel reported just 45 cases with no deaths.

"It's incumbent upon all of us here in the Region of Peel, especially operators of venues, to continue enforcing masking, vaccine certificate requirements and screening in general," said Loh.