1 GRAVENHURST CASE, AS POP-UP CLINIC SATURDAY AT GHS

Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com

SIMCOE-MUSKOKA — A young Gravenhurst man is among 13 people to test positive in COVID testing results released this afternoon.

He is aged 18-34 and is under investigation as to the cause, after being reported yesterday to the health unit after being first exposed June 23.

Six of the other dozen — all from Simcoe — are in Barrie.

This as new federal guidelines out this afternoon say that people can remove their masks indoors — and not have to social distance — if they have been fully vaccinated and the other people have also had their two vaccines.

This morning Public Health Ontario (PHO) reported Simcoe-Muskoka with 8 cases after 5 yesterday.

Provincially there were 256 cases and 2 deaths.

Toronto had 36 (35 the day before), York 6 (14) and Peel 38 (20).

North Bay-Parry Sound had 5 (5) and Porcupine 11 (9).

Dr. Charles Gardner, medical officer of health for the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit, is urging everyone to take the first vaccine available.

There is a pop-up clinic tomorrow (Saturday June 26) for youth aged 12-17 who have booked appointments at the Gravenhurst High School.

And if — as there was two weeks ago at the school — there is extra vaccine it will be publicly available.

You can inquire at the door to see if you are eligible.

The health unit said Friday afternoon that 500 appointments are available, but they had no idea how many were booked.

On June 8 only 100 youth pre-booked and so 150 extra vaccines were handed out to the public.

So, potentially hundreds could be available.

A by-appointment only vaccine clinic for youth 12-17 Saturday June 26 a GHS follows one two weeks ago at the school and could see extra vaccine left over. Members of the public can drop by to see if they are eligible.

As of this Monday June 28 everyone in Ontario can book a first or second vaccine if you are over the age of 12.

Gardner, again speaking in his new recent role as chair of the Council of Ontario Medical Officers of Health (COMOH), said both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are interchangeable and can be received as second dose vaccination regardless of the first dose provided.

And either can also be received following first dose vaccination with AstraZeneca vaccine.

He said with more Moderna vaccine arriving and less Pfizer at this time, Moderna vaccine will be provided as a second dose following Pfizer as a first dose frequently throughout the province.

Based on recent recommendations by the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI), either of these mRNA vaccines as a second dose is both safe and effective, and offers strong protection against COVID-19, including the more contagious and severe Delta (B.1.617) variant.

With the increase in the Delta variant in Ontario it is important for people to have two doses in order to be more fully protected.

“Two doses of COVID-19 vaccine provide a high degree of protection against infection from COVID-19 including serious illness, hospitalization and death.” Gardner said in a release.

“I urge all people 12 years of age and over who have not had their first dose to do so as soon as possible, and everyone to receive their second dose as soon as you are eligible.”

Mixing vaccines to complete a series is commonly done with immunizations against a number of other diseases such as Hepatitis A and B, Tetanus and Meningitis.

For more information about COVID-19 vaccination and eligibility to receive a vaccine, please visit the Ontario government COVID-19 vaccination website.

HEALTH UNIT HIGHLIGHTS:

  • 12,251 cases to date
  • 27 cases this week and 65 last week, which was 33% lower than the 97 cases the week before
  • 4 deaths in Simcoe this month; 18 in region in May, 25 in April, 12 in March
  • 3,983 alpha cases, 164 gamma, 32 beta, 34 delta
  • 669 cases have screened positive awaiting confirmed VOC testing
  • 516,500+ vaccines have been administered in Simcoe Muskoka
  • 388,100+ residents have received a first vaccine, which represents 64% of the total population.
  • 74% of adults 18+ had at least one vaccine
  • 56% of youth 12 to 17 have had a first vaccine
The COVID count is 12,251 to date in Simcoe-Muskoka.

IN OTHER COVID NEWS …

  • Federal modelling is stressing the seriousness of getting vaccinated against the delta variant that could still lead to a fourth wave among those not inoculated.
  • A border dispute between New Brunswick and Nova Scotia is highlighted today with N.B. reporting 1 case and N.S. 16.
  • Tokyo Olympics organizers say the Summer Games could be a TV event only with no spectators in the stands.

 

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