NO MUSKOKA CASES TUESDAY, BUT A DAILY HIGH OF 71 IN SIMCOE

Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com

SIMCOE-MUSKOKA — As vaccinations ramp up today so do COVID cases in Simcoe with 71 more people testing positive.

Muskoka had no new cases.

But a new vaccine did reach Muskoka Tuesday, with the first of 360 doses of the AstraZeneca being handed out this week at the Algonquin and Cottage Country Family Health Teams (FHT) in Huntsville, Gravenhurst and Bracebridge.

Only those aged 60-64 (born 1957-1961) are eligible through their primary care physician.

The health unit says mobile vaccination clinics are in the process of being rolled out, notably in Gravenhurst, Muskoka Lakes, Lake of Bays and Georgian Bay.

But Dr. Charles Gardner wouldn’t be pinned down as to exact dates when asked in a media Zoom call.

And he said no more permanent clinics are planned beyond Bracebridge and Huntsville, which was open today.

The medical officer of health for Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit (SMDHU) did say that those who do not have a doctor or nurse practitioner will have to wait for other mass vaccinations locally or rely on going through the provincial booking system when their age group is called.

What he did go on to point out is that with a nearly 40 per cent hike in cases week over week the threat of a third wave remains real.

Not only because 70 per cent of those new cases — up to 850 now from 682 last week — are variants of concern.

He said 4 per cent of the VOCs are in Muskoka (up to 32 from 24 a week ago) and 96 per cent are in Simcoe where they rose to 818 from 658 the week prior.

VOCs the past three weeks have gone from 121 to 111 to 151 last week.

But also because testing numbers are also down.

And cases continue to rise in communities like Huntsville, which numbered 17 last week, its most since the pandemic began more than a year ago.

As well, there have been 97 school-related cases since classes resumed Feb. 8, including five outbreaks.

Again all in Simcoe, where three-quarters of them are among elementary students along with seven in child care settings.

Gardner noted there is still one retail outbreak in Muskoka and as per usual wouldn’t identify it.

And while downplaying fears around using AstraZeneca, explaining data on blood clot concern is inconclusive, he said it is now being recommended for all ages over 18.

HEALTH UNIT HIGHLIGHTS:

  • To date 252 local cases have been tested positive for the COVID-19 variant of concern UK B.1.1.7 (UK), 7 cases 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 590 cases have screened positive (awaiting confirmatory testing)
  • 57,073 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in Simcoe Muskoka, mostly to health care workers in local hospitals, long-term care and retirement homes. This includes over 16,000 individuals who have received both of the required doses of the vaccine. In addition, over 3,000 (or 94%) long-term care residents and over 3,400 (or 95%) retirement home residents have received their first dose. More than 500 doses of AstraZeneca vaccine have also been administered to adults 60-64 years by four Family Health Teams in Simcoe Muskoka.
  • There have been 76 new cases reported to the health unit for the current week. There were 294 new cases reported to the health unit last week (week of March 7), which was higher than the 212 cases reported for the week of Feb. 28.
A quick preview of case numbers across Simcoe-Muskoka for Tuesday, March 16.

IN OTHER COVID NEWS …

  • Ontario reports 1,074 cases and 11 deaths.
  • North Bay-Parry Sound 1, Sudbury 9, Thunder Bay 29.
  • Toronto 313, Peel 199, York 101.
  • Quebec 561 and 8 deaths, Manitoba 111 and no deaths.
  • Moderna begins trials in kids under age 12
  • Prince Philip returns home to Buckingham Palace.
  • Ontario positivity rate highest in a month at 4.5 per cent.
  • Toronto’s three mass vaccination clinics that open tomorrow are fully booked.
  • Jack Goodman, owner of Camp New Moon in Baysville and president of the Ontario Camps Association, wants free COVID testing kits for campers.
  • Joe Biden and Kamala Harris tour U.S. to promote vaccine use with 72 million Americans vaccinated.
Mike “The Legend” Barnes is keeping masked as he awaits his chance at the next round of vaccines that are now allowing 80+ age residents register to receive a dose of Pfizer.

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