Halton Region Sees Smallest Increase In COVID-19 In Over Two Weeks.

Halton Region released their numbers for COVID-19 on their website and it appears our curve seems to be flattening. Today, April 16, we saw an increase of only six confirmed cases for Halton region, this was Halton Region’s smallest increase since March 29. Acton UP reached out to Halton Hills Mayor, Rick Bonnette to ask if he thinks measures such as social distancing are being effective. “Yes I think it is two-fold, one; the majority of the March break holidayers have now been tested [and] those who felt the need" "And two; social distancing has to be a factor. I would guess by the number of calls we are getting are down compared to a week or so ago when people were ignoring the social distancing etc.” While this appears to be good news for Halton, still, the stats for Halton Hills specifically are not quite as good. Halton Hills has the second most cases (104) for all of Halton Region despite having the smallest population (61,161). In contrast, Oakville has the largest amount of confirmed cases (115), but a population (211,382) almost four times the size of Halton Hills. This gives Halton Hills the highest per capita confirmed cases of COVID-19 for all of Halton Region. Confirmed Cases Per capita by Municipality Halton Region Halton Hills - 0.0017 Milton - 0.0006 Oakville - 0.0005 Burlington - 0.0003 Mayor Bonnette told us “we had a serious out break in a LTC [long term care] facility which made the numbers climb and a huge spike. Having said that, still 75% of confirmed cases are community.” Mayor Bonnette is referring to a spike that took place at the Mountainview Residence in Georgetown between April 12 and 13. This increased the confirmed cases in Halton Hills 32 cases in just one day, bringing our total from 53 to 85. Today, Halton Hills’ total confirmed cases is 104, seeing an increase of one from yesterday, and Halton Region’s total is 350, with a total increase of six since yesterday. While our statistics are looking hopeful, Bonnette wanted to remind people “Again everyone be vigilant and don't take this disease lightly.” For more information go to actonup.ca/coronavirus