17 COVID-19 cases have been linked to two weddings in Vaughan

Two Vaughan weddings and their related events have led to a COVID-19 outbreak, with 17 people testing positive for the virus.

York Region Public Health (YRPH) issued a public notice on November 11 of the outbreak linked to the late October weddings.

Of the 17 confirmed cases, five are in residents of Toronto and 12 are in residents of York Region.

The first wedding was held on October 28, at Chateau le Jardin in Vaughan, and approximately 130 to 140 people attended the ceremony.

Pre and post-wedding events were held at private homes in Markham, and the public health agency says there was insufficient physical distancing and masking at both events. Fourteen people attended the pre-wedding event and 10 people were at the post-wedding event.

The second wedding was held on October 30, at Paradise Banquet Hall in Vaughan, with about 130 people in attendance.

A pre-wedding event was held at a private home in Ajax with an unknown number of attendees. According to YRPH, there was insufficient masking and physical distancing.

Twelve of the individuals confirmed to have coronavirus attended the pre-wedding event for the October 28 wedding, and 16 cases attended the ceremony for the October 30 wedding. Nine positive cases attended the ceremonies for both weddings, YRPH says.

Anyone who attended the pre and post-wedding events for either celebration are deemed to have a high risk of exposure to coronavirus, YRPH says and should self-isolate for 14 days.

Those who only attended the wedding ceremonies have a low risk of exposure to the virus, as both Chateau le Jardin and Paradise Banquet Hall have infection prevention and control measures in place, according to the public health agency. Guests are being asked to self-monitor for symptoms for 14 days.

This is the second time an outbreak of the virus has been linked to a wedding in Vaughan. On October 29, YRPH issued a public notice after 40 people tested positive following a two-day wedding.