Public Health implements changes to workplace/facility outbreak disclosures

Waterloo Region – Effective Wednesday, March 17, 2021 Region of Waterloo Public Health will begin disclosing the names of significant, active workplace or facility outbreaks that meet set criteria. Outbreaks have been reported publicly on the Waterloo Region COVID-19 Summary dashboard since the first outbreak was declared in March 2020. To date workplace or facility outbreaks have been reported by category type, unless there has been a public health reason to disclose the name of a workplace or facility.

The new criteria for disclosure helps balance our ability to keep the public, employers, and employees informed about where significant outbreaks are occurring while maintaining individual privacy and preventing unnecessary harm to businesses.

“Outbreaks are a reflection of what we see in the community, as cases increase we also expect to see increases in the number of workplace outbreaks,” said Dr. Ryan Van Meer, Associate Medical Officer of Health. “Public Health works closely with workplaces and the Ministry of Labour to ensure appropriate infection prevention and control practices are in place. We are implementing this update to our workplace outbreak reporting to keep Waterloo Region informed of significant, active workplace or facility outbreaks.”

A significant, active workplace or facility outbreak will be disclosed when all the following criteria are met:

• One of:
  • Fifteen or more cases with at least 15 per cent positivity amongst staff and patrons, and at least 20 employees or patrons in the workplace or facility; or
  • Fifty or more cases
• Sustained transmission in the workplace or facility; and
• No significant privacy concerns

Disclosed significant, active outbreaks will also have the estimated percentage of active cases identified which will be updated weekly. All other workplace outbreaks will continue to be reported by category type, unless there is a public health reason to disclose the name of a workplace or facility.

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For media information, please contact:

Kerri Hutchinson
Health Communications, Supervisor
kehutchinson@regionofwaterloo.ca