November 30, 2021

Now entering the 21st month of this pandemic: COVID-19 fatigue setting in

Grey Bruce Public Health is experiencing and increase in case and contact management complexity. This is the result of COVID-19 fatigue, ultimately leaving many cases and their contacts challenged in following basic COVID-19 prevention measures, including but not limited to symptomatic individuals and their families/household contacts:

Not getting tested in a timely manner when symptomatic;
Going to work, school and childcare while symptomatic;
Not screening prior to work, school and childcare;
Not remaining home, if unvaccinated, when household contacts are symptomatic.

In many cases, the GBHU says that individuals are disregarding precautions while symptomatic, and have been frequently out and about for a week or more prior to diagnosis, resulting in multiple potential exposures and high risk contacts (resulting in further positive cases).

It is important to note that COVID-19 has taken a toll on many of us. The GBHU says we must acknowledge the potential fatigue we are all feeling. "Please note, following these precautions will allow us to prevent a surge in cases and to return to normal faster. We have been in an excellent position as a community, and the GBHU wants to acknowledge the hard work of all parties involved."

Importance of Daily Screening:

In order to help prevent a rise in COVID-19 infections, it is important that we all continue to do our part to mitigate the potential spread of the virus. This includes screening, staying home if sick, being tested if you have COVID symptoms, and of course, getting vaccinated as soon as possible and eligible.

In order to reduce the spread of COVID-19, everyone must follow the provincial rules:

You must screen each day before work and school
COVID-19 school screening (ontario.ca)
COVID-19 worker and employee screening (ontario.ca)
You must stay home if you have COVID-19 symptoms or are waiting for test results after experiencing symptoms.
Everyone in your household (unless fully vaccinated) must also stay home until they get a negative COVID-19 test result, or are cleared by public health, or you are diagnosed with another illness.
When there is someone in the household that has COVID-19 symptoms, parents must not send unvaccinated children that are symptom-free to childcare, school or youth activities
Get a COVID-19 test at an Assessment Centre (not a rapid antigen test) if you have symptoms of COVID-19 or are a contact of a known COVID-19 case.
Upon returning to school or childcare, you must complete the relevant attestation form, declaring that you have met the requirements to return safely.
Attestation For Return to School or Child Care Following Illness

For School and Childcare screening details, please review the webpages and previous media release below:

Importance of COVID-19 Vaccination:

The relative increase in the number of cases in younger individuals highlights the need to ensure that all eligible individuals get the COVID-19 vaccine. All individuals turning five this year and older can get their COVID-19 vaccine. The vaccine remains the most effective way to prevent COVID-19 infections, hospitalizations, and severe complications related to COVID-19.

On November 3, 2021, in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health and other health experts, Ontario expanded eligibility for booster doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to additional high-risk groups. In addition, on November 23, 2021, parents and guardians of eligible individuals (5-11 years old) were able book first and second dose appointments. For details, please review the previous media releases:

For booster doses, all newly eligible groups must wait 6 months (168 days minimum) following their second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine in order to be eligible for a third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. (example: If you got your second dose of your vaccine on June 1st, 2021, you are eligible for a booster dose on November 16th, 2021.

For those 5-11, the COVID-19 vaccines should be booked at least 14 days before or after other vaccines. Second doses for this age group MUST BE at least eight weeks after the first dose. Second dose appointments ARE NOT automatically booked when booking your first dose.

For an up to date list of clinics available, please review the Vaccine Schedule

Do not call the Health Unit to try and book an appointment. They are not able to book for you.

Individuals 12 and older still requiring first or second doses, do not need an appointment.

In addition, participating primary care providers and pharmacies may offer the COVID-19 for children and youth.

For detailed information about the Grey Bruce Health Unit’s vaccination process, and booking your vaccine, please review the Health Unit and Provincial website at:

For a current list of all clinics, please visit our weekly Clinic Schedule. Clinics are subject to cancellation due to weather.

At South Grey News, we endeavour to bring you truthful and factual, up-to-date local community news in a quick and easy-to-digest format that’s free of political bias. We believe this service is more important today than ever before, as social media has given rise to misinformation, largely unchecked by big corporations who put profits ahead of their responsibilities.

South Grey News does not have the resources of a big corporation. We are a small, locally owned-and-operated organization. Research, analysis and physical attendance at public meetings and community events requires considerable effort. But contributions from readers and advertisers, however big or small, go a long way to helping us deliver positive, open and honest journalism for this community.

Please consider supporting South Grey News with a donation in lieu of a subscription fee and let us know that our efforts are appreciated. Thank you.