‘Single multi-day event’ appears to be behind recent rise in COVID-19 cases: Strang

The province's chief medical officer of health says a recent rise in COVID-19 cases appears to be linked one event.

“The increased case numbers we are seeing are from several clusters of cases, primarily in the Northern and Western zones, related to several faith groups that participated recently in a single multi-day event,” explained Dr. Robert Strang at a Friday briefing.

“We are now seeing further spread within each of these faith group communities. The majority of the cases involve those that remain unvaccinated.”

Strang said public health officials aren't yet seeing significant spread beyond the faith-based communities, likely due to high overall vaccination rates, and those involved are following testing and isolation requirements.

“There is also a cluster of cases in Central Zone related to a separate faith community that involves mostly children who are not yet able to be vaccinated,” he explained. 

Under current COVID-19 regulations, those attending regular faith services — which Strang said includes “Sunday church service, Saturday at the synagogue, Friday at the mosque,” — do not need to be fully vaccinated, however he reminded that exemption does not extend to other faith-based activities.

“This includes things like Bible studies, retreats, youth groups,” he stated. “Any other activities outside the regular weekly service does require proof of vaccination.,” 

And those attending their weekly services still need to wear masks.

Strang said public health officials are closely monitoring the situation in the affected areas — which includes Amherst and the northern part of Cumberland County — and providing opportunities for testing and vaccination.

“But this should be a reminder, if we need it, that we're still in the middle of a pandemic. We're in the middle of the fourth wave,” the doctor said. 

“We can not relax, we still need to take this seriously. We need to get vaccinated and have people keep following all the public health measures that are in place.”