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
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
B.C. judge orders shared dog custody for exes who both 'clearly love Stella'
In a first-of-its-kind ruling, a B.C. judge has awarded a former couple joint custody of their dog.
Saskatoon police to search landfill for remains of woman missing since 2020
Saskatoon police say they will begin searching the city’s landfill for the remains of Mackenzie Lee Trottier, who has been missing for more than three years.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.