Aylmer, Ont. coping with COVID-19 spike as community turns economic page
Aylmer residents are coping with a recent rise in COVID-19 case numbers.
As of Thursday, there are 20 active cases in the town, down two from Wednesday.
That represents over 25 per cent of all cases in Elgin and Oxford counties.
It's a hard figure to take in for residents still looking to recover the national attention the community has received during the pandemic.
“Naturally it’s concerning for all the citizens of the town. It’s a lovely little town, and we’d like to get life back to normal as soon as possible,” Louise Weverink tells CTV News London.
Her thoughts are echoed by Kevin Cross. He and his wife have owned Durkee’s Clothing store on Aylmer’s Main Street for 20 years.
Cross is also the chair of the Aylmer BIA.
“The blips are frustrating, but we also recognize with school coming back numbers are going to go up and things can happen.”
Kim and Kevin Cross, owners of Durkee's in Aylmer, Ont. speak on Thursday, Oct. 7, 2021. (Sean Irvine / CTV News)
But something else is happening in Aylmer’s downtown, Cross says people are coming back, especially local ones.
Cross says that has kept most stores open while businesses in neighbouring communties struggle.
“It seems like if we do lose something another business pops up.”
But while the local people are returning, Cross acknowledges he has seen few visitors from outside the region.
But, CTV News London spotted Ken and Debbie Baker eating at a local cafe.
The pair have a trailer at Port Bruce, but live full-time in the Greater Toronto Area.
Ken admit the couple has limited their visits to Aylmer during the pandemic .
“I’ll be quite honest we are very leery of where we go when we are down here. Obviously we are sitting outside today, when we could be sitting inside.”
Debbie and Ken Baker are seen at a cafe in Aylmer, Ont. on Thursday, Oct. 7, 2021. They call the GTA home. (Sean Irvine / CTV News)
But while that’s true, the Baker’s also exclaim their love for Aylmer’s core. They love seeing all the stores full with unique shops and window displays.
“It’s a very vibrant town, very welcoming, and the people here are always so kind and pleasant to us when we come.”
And if only COVID-19 would ease, those CTV News London spoke with are confident the good times will roll again in Aylmer.
But it will take a community change of heart, according to the Louise and her husband, Hank Weverink.
“You've got to do what you've got to do to get rid of this stuff. You got to just go by the rules and that will get rid of it, I’m sure,” states Hank.
“People need to be concerned about people’s welfare and not just their own rights, and that’s my opinion,” concludes Louise.
CTV News London reached out to the mayor of Aylmer, Mary French, for comment on this story. A town spokesperson indicated she was unavailable for a midday interview.
A representative for the area medical officer of health, Joyce Lock, also indicated she was unavailable for interviews Thursday.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Most of Canada to receive emergency alert test today
The federal government will test its capacity to issue emergency alerts today, with the exception of Ontario, where the test will take place on May 15.
OPINION What King Charles' schedule being too 'full' to accommodate son suggests about relationship with Prince Harry
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
Ontario man devastated to learn $150,000 line of credit isn't insured after wife dies
An Ontario man found out that a line of credit he thought was insured actually isn't after his wife of 50 years died.
Boy Scouts of America is rebranding. Here's why they're now named Scouting America
After more than a century, Boy Scouts of America is rebranding as Scouting America, another major shakeup for an organization that once proudly resisted change.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
With Donald Trump sitting just feet away, Stormy Daniels testified Tuesday at the former president's hush money trial about a sexual encounter the porn actor says they had in 2006 that resulted in her being paid to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
Rape, terror and death at sea: How a boat carrying Rohingya children, women and men capsized
In March, Indonesian officials and local fishermen rescued 75 people from the overturned hull of a boat off the coast of Indonesia. Until now, little was known about why the boat capsized.
These adults born in the '90s partnered with their parents to buy homes in Ontario
An Ontario woman said it would have been impossible to buy a house without her mother – an anecdote that animates the fact that over 17 per cent of Canadian homeowners born in the ‘90s own their property with their parents, according to a new report.
For their protection, immigrants critical of China and India call for speedy passage of Canada's foreign interference legislation
Canadian immigrants threatened by hostile regimes are urging parliamentarians to quickly pass the 'Countering Foreign Interference Act' so they can feel safe living in their adopted home.
How Drake and Kendrick Lamar's rap beef escalated within weeks
A long-simmering feud between hip-hop superstars Drake and Kendrick Lamar reached a boiling point in recent days as the pair traded increasingly personal insults on a succession of diss tracks. Here’s a quick overview of what’s behind the ongoing beef.