A local health unit is ending the use of its COVID-19 task force established at the start of the pandemic.
Grey Bruce Public Health has announced it will be "sunsetting" the COVID-19 task force as the area continues recovering and moving forward from the worst of the pandemic that hit in 2020, with the task force being created in early 2021. The end of the task force was recommended by Grey Bruce Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Ian Arra, who thanked the members of the community and local healthcare system who made up the task force and served the community.
The task force being discontinued is based on "favourable local epidemiology related to COVID-19," according to the Grey Bruce Public Health release. The decision was made following a November 30 memorandum in 2022 in which Ontario's Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Kieran Moore, stated the "Pandemic Response and Recovery structure within the Ministry of Health will wind down and its functions transition to existing divisions within the ministry."
“I am delighted to share that we have now reached a point in Grey-Bruce where we can officially conclude the Grey-Bruce COVID-19 Vaccine Task Force,” Dr. Arra said. “Nearly two years ago, as Grey Bruce Public Health prepared to launch the largest mass vaccination rollout in the area’s history, we were fortunate to have representatives from a wide range of sectors and organizations step up to serve on a task force to provide their support, expertise, and feedback for this unprecedented vaccination plan. The vaccination rollout was a success – something that would not have been possible without the support of Grey-Bruce residents, who attended Hockey Hubs and other vaccine clinics, the work and dedication of the task force members and our community partners, and the many volunteers who assisted with the mass vaccination clinics.”
