38 SIMCOE CASES — AND BOOK VACCINE ANYWHERE YOU WANT
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com
SIMCOE-MUSKOKA — “It’s bit confusing …,” but if you can’t wait for a vaccine — or the one you want — feel free to shop around for the first available appointment you can get to, says Dr. Charles Gardner.
Simcoe-Muskoka’s medical officer of health says he’s OK with so-called “vaccine tourism” — if it gets the most people inoculated.
He said today it’s happening in Muskoka where those with secondary residences are booking through the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit’s (SMDHU) website.
Many of them because they residing in the north most or part the off-season, even if their health card has an address outside Simcoe-Muskoka.
The same is happening in Toronto where people are flooding in from outside to get injected.
Gardner said scheduling websites for the health unit and province are different. Ontario’s site lets you sign up anywhere in the province, while SMDHU only offers its regional clinics.
He didn’t say which is faster or easier, when asked by MuskokaTODAY.com
This as he reported 38 COVID cases today for a two-day total of 79.
All are Simcoe residents with 20 males and 18 females.
A worker at the Terry’s YIG in Gravenhurst has reportedly tested positive this week, but hasn’t been seen among health unit statistics so far.
Gardner also noted 70,125 vaccines have been administered so far (1,339 yesterday).
That’s 13 more this week than last.
And 17,285 residents, staff and essential workers in LTC and retirement homes are now are fully immunized with two doses.
As of Tuesday, there are 429 active COVID cases, up from 421 last week at this time.
Also, two more women in their 80s — living out in the community with close contact — died the past week bringing the total to 195. Three of them have been in Muskoka.
Hospitalizations remain unchanged this week at 23; with 6 patients in ICU, down from 8 last week.
Of note in Muskoka, Huntsville has had 20 cases in March (5 last week), it’s highest monthly number since another month with 15.
In terms of variants, they are up to 1,045 from 873 last week — with 3 per cent of them in Muskoka.
VOCs now account for 78 per cent of cases, up 1 per cent from last week.
All outbreaks the past week are up to 13 outbreaks from 7.
And 7 are in workplaces — with 1 retail outbreak in Muskoka now over.
There are also 4 outbreaks in schools, up from 1 and all in Simcoe.
Back on vaccines, more than 3,000 AstraZeneca (AZ) doses have been handed out through Family Health Teams and now anyone older than 60 can get the AZ.
And those 75 and up can pre-register.
However, Gardner said AZ isn’t available yet at any pharmacies in the region.
But he said “soon.”
And FHTs will also be getting more supply for local distribution.
Gardner said Simcoe-Muskoka will get 3 pharmacy locations, but he didn’t know where or when that will be.
He said if the province expects to reach its goal of 40 per cent distribution using them they will need to have as many pharmacies as possible participating.
But all are “excellent.”
He did say that the vaccine definitely works at preventing the spread of COVID and early indications are it helps protect against receiving it. Something he referred to as “viral loading and viral shedding.”
As for masks, they should still be worn even if you have had a first of second vaccine. And the province has no plans to change that advice or any other related public health measures right now.
He said a single dose is proving effective enough and two is better.
In terms of testing, local numbers are down (for the third week) to 169 per 10,000 as opposed to 186 last week. It’s the same for province, likely due to fewer requests related to LTC and retirement home staff, residents and visitors.
Trajectory forecasts, which continue go to up, are keeping the region in the red zone.
They are matched by a rising reproductive rate at 1.2. compared to 1.1 for the province.
Gardner said he is reissuing a Section 22 MOH order for temporary foreign workers on farms as he did last spring.
It will ensure housing space to quarantine incoming workers, limit the number of beds in buildings and space for them not to be overcrowded.
In addition, the order calls for cohort working groups, masks and open windows in vehicles when travelling and daily screening.
As well, workers will be informed of their rights and access to health services.
HEALTH UNIT HIGHLIGHTS:
- Faith leaders offering pastoral care are a new group of essential workers who can pre-register for the vaccine.
- Teachers will likely be vaccinated later when Phase 2 of inoculation begins.
- The 4 vaccination clinics Tuesday are in Barrie, Huntsville, Alliston, and Orillia.
- 291 UK variant cases, 8 linked to Brazil and 1 to South Africa
- 745 cases are VOC positive awaiting second confirmation
- Over 70,125 vaccines doses administered
- 17,280 who have received both doses
- 3,000 (95%) of LTC residents and nearly 3,500 (96%) of retirement home residents have gotten a first dose
- Vast majority of doses Pfizer
- 3,000+ doses of AstraZeneca gone to the 60-64 age group at four Family Health Teams
- 1,000+ doses of Moderna have been administered
- 73 new cases so far this week, with 265 last week, which was approximately 12% lower than 300 cases the week of March 7.
- Health unit has boosted its budget by 5 million, notably for recent inoculations, and by hiring 200 more staff most of them the past month.
IN OTHER COVID NEWS …
- Huntsville looking in to expanding its vaccine centre beyond the Active Living Centre and on to one of its two ice surfaces, which could accommodate up to 400 people if needed in the coming months for mass vaccinations.
- At the same time, the province said late this afternoon that it is investing $3.7 million as part of the 2021 budget to help seniors and people with disabilities get their COVID-19 vaccinations, where transportation is a barrier. That should help fund Muskoka’s free bus service.
- The health unit could be distributing 4,000 to 7,000 doses a day in April.
- Province-wide COVID cases were down by 153 to 1,546 with 9 deaths.
- Toronto, Peel and York were all down at 465, 329 and 161.
- North Bay-Parry Sound and Peterborough each had 1 case, Sudbury 15 and Thunder Bay 10.
- Quebec reports 656 cases and 4 deaths; Manitoba 98 and 1 death.
- Results of that delayed Newfoundland and Labrador provincial election to be announced Saturday at noon. Thursday is the last day for counting.
- Middlesex-London health unit hit by bot blocking vaccine bookings.
- The new Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte says cases are rising in Holland.
- Peel closes 5 more schools due to virus.
- Manitoba allowing 25 people outdoors from 10.
- Moderna vaccine shipment delayed one day till tomorrow.
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