2 IN HUNTSVILLE, 2 IN BRACEBRIDGE, 35 IN SIMCOE WEDNESDAY

Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com

SIMCOE-MUSKOKA — Two more people in Huntsville, two in Bracebridge and 35 in Simcoe amounted to 39 positive COVID tests in the region.

And 37 of them are variants of concern, the Simcoe Muskoka District Health reports on its website today.

The 4 Muskoka cases were all reported March 9 with first episodes March 8.

They are:

  • Bracebridge boy under 18 with close contact.
  • Bracebridge man 18-34 with close contact.
  • Huntsville man 18-34 under investigation.
  • Huntsville woman 35-44 under investigation.

That brings Huntsville to a Muskoka-leading 84 cases and Bracebridge to 46.

(One previous case in Huntsville was removed by the health unit.)

The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit says its variant total is now 710 and the total corona virus count is 6,801.

And there are 142 active variant cases as of Wednesday March 10.

There are 20 people in hospital, including 3 more since yesterday.

Vaccine distribution is now up to 51,575, including 777 Tuesday.

This as Ontario saw an overall jump to 1,316, with 16 deaths.

Cases climbed in Toronto 428, Peel 244 and York 149.

North Bay-Parry Sound had negative-2 and Thunder Bay 67.

Manitoba has 1 new death and 77 cases; Quebec 792 and 10 deaths.

HEALTH UNIT HIGHLIGHTS:

  • 232 people have tested positive for the UK variant, 4 people have tested positive for the P.1 variant of concern (Brazil), 1 case has tested positive for the B.1.351 variant of concern (South Africa) and an additional 473 cases have screened positive (awaiting confirmatory testing).
  • More than 51,600 doses of the Pfizer vaccine have been administered in Simcoe Muskoka.
  • This includes more than 15,701 individuals who have received both of the required doses of the vaccine. In addition, 3,000 (or 94%) long-term care residents and 3,429 (or 94%) retirement home residents have received their first dose.
  • There have been 108 new cases this week, 208 last week and 255 starting the week of Feb. 21.
  • There have been no new deaths this month and 31 Simcoe residents died in February, which is the second highest number since the start of the pandemic. In January 88 Simcoe residents died, more than four times higher than the 18 in December.
  • Seniors 80 and older had the highest rate of infection in January, with more than 90% of these cases associated with an institutional outbreak.
  • Young adults (18-34 years) had the highest rate of infection in February.
  • TESTING: There were 215 new COVID-19 tests per 10,000 population in Simcoe County and 66 tests per 10,000 populations in Muskoka District for the most recent week (Feb. 28).
  • By comparison the provincial testing rate was 242 tests per 10,000 populations. *NB: testing rates for the most recent week are incomplete and will change in future updates.
  • The percent positivity rate in Simcoe County is 1.5% and 1.6% in Muskoka District compared to the provincial percent positivity rate of 2.0%.
  • The percent positivity was the same in Simcoe County last week when compared with the previous week and remains at the lowest level since October.
  • The percent positivity in Muskoka was higher again for the fourth consecutive week and remains at the highest level since April.
Here’s a quick look at what the health unit has done in the last day.

IN OTHER COVID NEWS …

  • Pharmacies in Toronto, Kingston, Windsor-Essex first to distribute AstraZeneca vaccine in pilot project.
  • Toronto surpasses 100,000 cases, compared to 51,675 in Simcoe-Muskoka.
  • The UK variant, which is in both Muskoka and Simcoe is 30- to 100 per cent more deadly than the common corona virus, says a new study in the British Medial Journal.
  • Quebec gets first Brazil variant, same one Simcoe-Muskoka has.
  • U.S. approves $1.9 trillion COVID relief bill that gives direct payments to people, extends jobless benefits and provides billions for vaccine distribution.
Rob Hill has a big smile behind his mask as he enjoys Wednesday’s warm weather. He says he’s just glad to get out again and is optimistic about spring coming, COVID and the Leafs’ chance at playoffs.

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