4 MUSKOKA CASES THIS LONG WEEKEND WERE AMONG 146 IN REGION

Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com

SIMCOE-MUSKOKA — Case counts yesterday of 20 people locally with COVID-19 reflected the downward trajectory seen last week.

But with 146 cases since Friday’s last reporting the average is 36.5 for those four days of the May 24 Victoria long weekend.

And 2 more deaths, reports the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit Tuesday.

Four of which were in Muskoka:

  1. Gravenhurst woman, 45-64, under investigation, reported May 24, first episode May 23
  2. Gravenhurst woman, 45-64, with close contact, reported May 22, first episode May 5
  3. Huntsville man, 65-79, with close contact, reported May 21, and a first episode May 19
  4. Muskoka Lakes man, 18-34, close contact, reported May 21, and a first episode May 12

*Two previously reported cases in Gravenhurst and Bracebridge were removed as they were considered duplicates or did not meet case definitions.

BAYSVILLE POP-UP VACCINE CLINIC MAY 31

This as the Township of Lake of Bays and the health unit are hosting a pop-up vaccination clinic at the Baysville Arena, 10 University Street, Monday May 31 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Individuals 18 years of age or older who live, work, or go to school anywhere in Muskoka are eligible to book an appointment.

This clinic is strictly for people who are receiving their first dose of vaccine.

To register you can book online at https://www.lakeofbays.on.ca/covid-19.aspx

Or call (705) 721-7520 or 1-877-721-7520 ext. 5997

Toronto has also achieved a major vaccine milestone with 65 per cent of residents receiving at least a first vaccine.

This as Ontario is now taking bookings for the second shot of the AstraZeneca vaccine for anyone who was first inoculated in March.

The latest regional numbers start the week off with 41 new cases, says the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit.

Last week there were 302, which was 12% lower than the week before when there were 345 as of the week starting May 9.

Provincially the daily numbers were down at 1,039 — but with 33 deaths.

Since Friday Ontario’s cases went down from 1,890 to 1,794 Saturday, 1,691 Sunday and 1,446 today.

GTA numbers were all down this morning: Toronto 385 (387 the day before), York 77 (97) and Peel 231 (393).

North Bay and Parry Sound had 1 case today and 2 Monday.

In this afternoon’s briefing, the province reports 103 deaths the past four days.

As of today 1,025 people are in hospital with COVID, which is down from 1,484 a week ago.

They also say that 692 people are in ICU. That is up 5 from 687 yesterday.

Testing was also down Monday to 16,851 from 20,151 Sunday, which also sees the positivity rate at 5.7 per cent this week compared to 6.7 per cent a week ago. 

HEALTH UNIT HIGHLIGHTS:

  • 11,726 total COVID cases to date
  • 18 deaths in May, 25 in April 12 in March among 240 in Simcoe and 5 in Muskoka
  • 3,577 UK variants, 105 from Brazil, 19 from South Africa, 2 from India
  • 728 more cases await confirmation of the type of variant
  • 312,300+ vaccines have been administered in Simcoe Muskoka
  • 287,200+ people living in Simcoe Muskoka have received their first dose of vaccine, which represents over 47.5% of the total population.
Another week begins with 41 cases on top of 302 and 345 the past two weeks.

IN OTHER COVID NEWS …

  • The embattled Department of National Defence is prosecuting a military officer they allege spoke out at a Toronto anti-vax rally in December against the “killer” vaccine and also urged fellow members of the Canadian Armed Forces to disobey orders to help with the distribution. Officer Cadet Ladislas Kenderesi has been charged with one count of “persuading another person to join in a mutiny and one count of behaving in a scandalous manner unbecoming of an officer.”
  • Most provinces have been front and centre in the COVID fight, including Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan and most recently Manitoba, which is reeling under the overwhelming weight of the virus. Manitoba reports 259 cases and 2 deaths today.
  • Japan and the U.S. are back at war over America’s warning to its residents about going to the Tokyo Olympics.
  • Europe is finally answering the COVID call in a big way with 100 million doses for poor countries through the UN-led COVAX distribution network.
  • B.C. is the latest province to unveil a re-opening plan following Ontario and Quebec.
John Storey, of Gravenhurst, is among Muskokans being ever-vigilant as summer unofficially kicks off and tourist towns were extra busy this long weekend.

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