RETURN TO SCHOOL … BUT REMEMBER 6 MORE PEOPLE DIED SINCE YESTERDAY

Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com

SIMCOE-MUSKOKA — As kids and parents prepare for indoor classes, 6 families are planning funerals today for loved ones who died of COVID.

The number of dead rose to 164 in health unit reporting Thursday as a further 58 corona cases emerged — all in Simcoe.

None were in Muskoka.

But the staggering daily toll — 12 deaths this first week of February (85 in January) — show fluctuating case counts aren’t the best barometer right now for letting down your mask.

Not with five more people are in hospital edging that number back up to 39.

And 151 local cases testing positive for the COVID-19 variant of concern UK B.1.1.7.

Ontario reported 1,563 cases and 88 deaths.

No wonder they are considering cancelling March break in a bid to curb infection spread by exposing and possibly encouraging more people to go public.

It’s a move many educators oppose — citing teacher burnout.

Meanwhile, Quebec, which is loosening some restrictions — but keeping its curfew — reported 1,093 cases and 42 deaths.

In the west, Manitoba’s numbers led to Premier Brian Pallister also considering more relaxed regulations in some sectors. The province announced 110 COVID cases and 2 deaths.

Alberta reported 13 deaths and 582 cases. B.C. had 16 deaths and 414 cases.

But it’s in Ontario where the worst of the pandemic remains, with a 31 per cent increase in deaths over yesterday.

The number of Ontarians who have died is 6,393 — so far — 3,683 in LTCs as the provinces fight with Ottawa over who would one day pay for a public care homes if they are taken out of private hands.

IN OTHER COVID NEWS …

  • Canada has vaccinated 1 million — the U.S. 28.2 million.
  • 152 variant cases in Ontario.
  • Feb. 11, the day after Ontario’s 28-day lockdown ends, a dubbed ‘We Are All Essential’ is calling for a nation-wide re-opening by all business in defying emergency laws.
  • Cruise ships will be further banned until 2022 — which would threaten those that occasionally dock in Parry Sound.
  • Alberta Premier Jason Kenney tells critics who call COVID a hoax to “wake up and smell the coffee.”
More snow shows winter’s not over and neither is the pandemic for who knows how long.

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