The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit (SMDHU) has declared a COVID-19 outbreak at Mapleview Community Church.
The south-end Barrie church hosted a Trunk or Treat event on Saturday, where members of the community could come and get Halloween candy from volunteers lined up in their vehicles on the property at 300 Mapleview Dr. W.
The region's medical officer of health, Dr. Charles Gardner, wouldn’t say how many staff and volunteers had tested positive, but did tell BarrieToday in an email that there have been “numerous laboratory-confirmed cases associated with this church to date.”
It's unclear whether any of the cases are directly linked to Saturday's event.
Gardner also said the health unit received a complaint on Nov. 2 related to non-compliance with physical distancing and mask use at the Mapleview Drive West church.
“(The) SMDHU has previously addressed other COVID-19 matters with the church based on the Reopening Ontario Act," he added.
In a media call Wednesday, Gardner said the Trunk or Treat event, which was held outside, would have been a “lower-risk” event for anyone who attended.
“We are seeking follow-up with the leadership of that organization,” said Gardner.
In an email to BarrieToday on Thursday, Mapleview Community Church pastor Jay Davis said protocols have been put in place to ensure the church is a safe place to meet.
“Over the past 19 months, we have not had more than two COVID cases, that I can recount, and which both were resolved,” Davis said. “Currently, I have been in touch with the health unit and we are taking direction and waiting for their instructions. As you can appreciate, my main concern is for the health and safety of those who call Mapleview Community Church their home.”
BarrieToday asked Davis what specific protocols were being followed, but he did not answer the question in the email response.
A video clip from a Sept. 26 Mapleview Community Church service posted to YouTube shows Davis telling the congregation members as they leave to "don your mask if you care to. That would be helpful in case there is a bylaw officer there again."
Mapleview Community Church sent an email to its congregation Monday informing them that "a number of Mapleview church volunteers and leadership" members had tested positive for COVID-19.
