It’s a question that’s on the minds of health care officials and local residents alike. Will the gatherings that were seen around Orléans on Canada Day cause a surge or spike in local COVID-19 cases?

While gatherings of more than 10 people was, and still is, prohibited, smaller gatherings could be seen on local patios and in city parks as area residents celebrated Canada’s birthday in the 30-degree heat.

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, area residents flocked to Petrie Island on Canada Day. FRED SHERWIN PHOTD

Petrie Island was especially busy as thou-sands of people flocked to it’s beaches to beat the heat. The parking lot was full by 2 p.m. and the causeway leading to the island had cars parked on both sides as visitors chose to ignore the no parking signs.

While most people did their best to try and respect physical distancing requirements on the island, there were spots here and there were people were clearly within two metres of each other and in one instance, a family had combined six 10’ x 10’ tents to shelter what looked to be a large family outing.

As for face masks, only a handful of people could be seen wearing them on the island. The vast majority were not.

Whether or not the high concentration of people and the lack of face masks will cause a local outbreak in COVID-19 cases depends on how many people who visited the island actually had the virus and whether or not they were in close enough proximity to others to spread it.

According to Ottawa Public Health’s most recent data, there were approximately 23 active cases in the east end as of June 22, but as many as 30 times that number could have the virus and not know it.

(This story was made possible thanks to the generous support of our local business partners.)