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COVID-19 Threat Level by Color

Posted in COVID-19

Ontario Ministry of Health Color Levels

The Ontario Ministry of Health measures the level of threat based on epidemiology, the capacity of our public health system, and availability of intensive care beds. There are 5 threat levels: Green, Yellow, Orange, Red, and Grey. For each level the Ministry of Health (MOH) has different objectives (highlighted in the colored boxes below) and tactics (bulleted text under boxes) to slow the progress of an outbreak.

Green
Weekly incidence rate is < 10 per 100,000 (among other factors)
  • Focus on education and awareness of public health and workplace safety measures in place.
  • Restrictions reflect broadest allowance of activities in Stage 3
    absent a widely available vaccine or treatment.
  • Highest risk settings remain closed.
Yellow
Weekly incidence rate is 10 to
24.9 per 100,000 (among other factors)
  • Enhanced targeted enforcement, fines, and enhanced education to limit further transmission.
  • Apply public health measures in high risk settings.
Orange
Weekly incidence rate is 25 to 39.9 per 100,000 (among other factors)
  • Implement enhanced measures, restrictions, and enforcement avoiding any closures.
COVID-19 Threat Level Red
Weekly incidence rate ≥ 40
per 100,000 (among other factors)
  • Implement broader-scale measures and restrictions, across multiple sectors, to control transmission.
  • Restrictions are the most severe available before widescale business or organizational closure.
COVID-19 Threat Level Grey
Adverse trends after entering
Red/Control
  • Implement widescale measures and restrictions, including closures, to halt or interrupt transmission.
  • Consider declaration of emergency.

What Does it Mean for Waterloo Dental Clinics?

During the time when this blog was written (Nov 23rd-24th 2020) Waterloo Region is in Threat Level RED. Every individual clinic can decide for themselves whether to stay open or not based on their compliance with Ontario Ministry of Health Response Framework, and the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario requirements. Specifically the College’s COVID-19: Managing Infection Risks during In-Person Dental Care documentation.

Currently Erbsville Dental, Waterloo is open, meeting all requirements and remaining aggressive in the fight against COVID-19. They are open and still providing excellent dental car for Kitchener-Waterloo families. However, Dr. Mathews is keeping a close eye on the Ontario Government’s communications and the ever changing threat levels in our local area. Keep reading our blog for updates in the coming weeks.