COVID-19 Outbreak Declared in the City of Kingston’s University District

Kingston, ON – Today, Dr. Kieran Moore, Medical Officer of Health at KFL&A Public Health has declared a COVID-19 outbreak among young adults aged 18 to 29 years of age, as they currently make up over 70 per cent of the active cases in our region. In this age group in the City of Kingston’s University District there are 70 active cases of COVID-19.

KFL&A Public Health’s investigations have revealed transmission is occurring during close, unprotected contact between individuals in social settings (including large gatherings) where physical distancing is limited, and face coverings are not being worn. The COVID-19 cases are rising quickly as they are being driven by COVID-19 variants, which are transmitted easily in social settings, can cause greater severity of disease and are impacting younger individuals. With COVID-19 variants the risk of ICU admission is 2 times higher, and the risk of death is 1.5 times higher.

“We are facing a critical time in the fight against this virus. We are putting all measures in place, including stronger enforcement of the provincial shutdown and stay-at-home restrictions to limit the spread of this outbreak,” said Dr. Moore. “Fines will be given if provincial restrictions are not adhered to—stay home, limit social interactions to those in your household, and avoid unnecessary trips outside your home.”

“These are not normal circumstances with the highly contagious nature of COVID-19 variants, we urge young adults to act in a responsible and conscientious way to protect others in our community,” added Dr. Moore.

• Stay at home.
• Limit trips outside your home to necessities such as: getting food or medication, going to medical appointments, or enjoying exercise or walking pets.
• Avoid social gatherings, visiting others, or having others visit you and stay overnight. 
• If someone in your household is symptomatic, they need to get tested and everyone else in the household must isolate until a negative test result is back.
• Stay 2 metres apart from people you do not live with, and wear a mask or face covering in indoor public spaces or any time physical distancing is not possible.
• Limit close contact to your household (the people you live with).
• If you have any symptoms of illness—stay home, isolate, and get tested early.
• Stay local and avoid non-essential travel outside of the KFL&A region.

The Ontario government ordered a provincewide shutdown, effective April 3, 2021 and a stay-at-home order, effective April 8, 2021. Any failure to comply with the social gathering restrictions, including no indoor gatherings and no more than five individuals at an outdoor gathering can result in minimum fine of $880 ($750 plus costs) to a maximum fine of up to $100,000 and one-year imprisonment for individuals.

For more information on COVID-19 and how you can protect yourself and what to do if you suspect you may be at risk, visit www.Kflaph.ca/Coronavirus.

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