27 new COVID-19 cases reported Wednesday as region announces proof of vaccinations for coaches, volunteers
CBC
Region of Waterloo Public Health reported 27 new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday, an uptick from recent days when case numbers have been in the teens.
It came the same day the region's medical officer of health, Dr. Hsiu-Li Wang, issued instructions that anyone entering an indoor facility in the region for organized sports must show proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a medical exemption starting Oct. 31.
That will include anyone 18 or older who is a coach, official or volunteer.
This differs from the provincial regulation under the Reopening Ontario Act, which requires people who enter recreational facilities to be vaccinated including parents who are there to observe; however, gives an exemption to "workers or volunteers, including coaches and officials."
Wang said the move is necessary because often in sports there is close contact, heavy breathing and crowded indoor spaces. As well, players, coaches and officials may spend a prolonged amount of time near each other and masks are often removed during play.
"Given that individuals such as coaches, officials and volunteers will have close and prolonged contact with youth who may be unvaccinated, extending the requirement for proof of vaccination to these individuals in indoor sports settings helps protect all those participating and reduces the risk for transmission in these settings," Wang said in the release.
There were six outbreaks in Waterloo region as of Wednesday:
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