York Region Public Health has declared a COVID-19 outbreak at a Markham basketball tournament and health officials are unable to contact trace all attendees.
In a statement issued Friday evening, officials said at least seven cases have been linked to the Phoenix Classic – Back to the Trenches basketball tournament at Battle Arena on Victoria Park Avenue, north of Steeles Avenue East, between Aug. 13 to 15.
Health department staff said a public notice was issued in an effort to inform people who attended the tournament, citing a delay in retrieving contact tracing lists from the tournament’s organizer. As a result of the delay, the statement said a fine was issued on Thursday to the Battle Arena.
Read more: 20 COVID-19 cases linked to Oshawa basketball tournament where up to 7,000 people attended
News of the outbreak came days after a separate outbreak at another sports tournament in the Greater Toronto Area was declared.
- Critics call for more frontline overdose supports as responses cause resource strain
- Large area in Banff National Park closed after bear seeking food, damages tents
- Manitoba funding new social work positions in Winnipeg emergency departments
- U.S. CDC travel advisory issued for Manitoba over hepatitis A outbreak
Get weekly health news
Earlier in August, at least 25 cases were linked by Region of Durham Public Health staff to a basketball tournament in Oshawa where up to 7,000 people attended during a three-day period. Authorities in that region also reported having difficulties contact all attendees.
It was unclear how many people were at Battle Arena over the course of the tournament, but the health unit described the attendance figures as “a large number.”
Meanwhile, everyone at the event was asked to get tested for COVID-19.
Comments
Want to discuss? Please read our Commenting Policy first.