MILLER MISSES CABINET AGAIN, AS COVID CASES RISE TO 19 FRIDAY

Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com

SIMCOE-MUSKOKA — With 19 new local COVID cases, Simcoe is in and Muskoka is out again in a new cabinet shuffle this afternoon.

Only one of today’s positive coronavirus tests comes from Huntsville, where a woman 45-64 with close contact was reported June 17 with a first exposure June 10.

The other 18 people were all in Simcoe and included 10 men in an outbreak in Penetanguishene. Another resident there acquired the virus through the community.

The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit (SMDHU) says this week’s total number of cases is 45. That’s down from 97 last week.

It also reports local vaccine numbers this week continue to rise to almost 63 per cent of people with a first shot and 14 per cent with a second shot.

This as Premier Doug Ford shuffled his cabinet Friday, adding Simcoe North MPP Jill Dunlop, while again denying long-term Tory Norman Miller a seat at the top table.

Dunlop, a first-time MPP and associate minister, will be the post-secondary education minister.

Miller will remain a backbencher, where the son of former Premier Frank Miller has been sitting since taking over his dad’s Tory seat in the Ontario Legislature in 2001.

Ford also brought back Rod Phillips, his former finance minister who flew to St. Barts for a Caribbean vacation in December, to replace Dr. Merrillee Fullerton as LTC minister. She moves to minister of children, community and social services.

They are among several cabinet changes.

SMDHU also reports that 51 per cent of youth aged 12-17 are now vaccinated.

Meanwhile, across the province there were 345 cases and 1 death, according to Public Health Ontario.

They reported 7 cases in Simcoe-Muskoka.

Toronto had 50 cases (67 yesterday), York 22 (27) and Peel 50 (47).

North Bay-Parry Sound 8 (3) and Porcupine 16 (17).

On the vaccine front, AstraZeneca fears are being downplayed by most top health officials who say it is safe and effective if you’ve had one or two shots of it. However, the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) said Thursday all Canadians should get mRNA vaccines like Pfizer and Moderna from now on.

LOCAL VACCINE CLINIC VOLUNTEERS SOUGHT:

The health unit is accepting applications for volunteer support in the COVID-19 vaccination clinics located in Bracebridge, Huntsville, Orillia, Barrie and Innisfil.

Volunteers provide essential support in non-clinical roles and help contribute to an excellent client experience. Responsibilities may include monitoring waiting areas, assisting, and directing clients and engaging in cleaning and disinfecting procedures.

Volunteers must be 18 years or older, be able to stand for long periods of time, work both indoors and outdoors, wear personal protective equipment (PPE), and obtain a satisfactory criminal record check upon hiring.

More information about volunteering at a vaccination clinic across Simcoe Muskoka can be found at www.smdhu.org. Interested individuals can fill out an online application form or can inquire by emailing [email protected]

If you want a quick door in to the vaccine centre, you could always volunteer. The health unit is looking for people to help with clinics in Bracebridge and Huntsville.

HEALTH UNIT HIGHLIGHTS:

  • 12,201 cases to date
  • 45 new cases this week, 97 last week, which was 36% lower than the 152 cases the week before. That was the lowest weekly case total since early October 2020.
  • 1 death in June, 18 in May, 25 in April and 12 in March
  • 3,955 Alpha variants, 163 Gamma, 32 Beta, 18 Delta
  • 669 cases have screened positive awaiting confirmation of variant
  • 462,600+ vaccines have been administered in Simcoe Muskoka
  • 380,400+ people living in Simcoe Muskoka have received their first dose of vaccine, which represents more than 63% of the total population.
  • 73% of adults 18 years and older have had at least one dose of vaccine
  • 51% of youth 12 to 17 years of age have had their first vaccine.
Local vaccine numbers this week continue to rise to almost 63 per cent with a first shot and 14 per cent with a second shot.

IN OTHER COVID NEWS …

  • Vaccine lottery incentives sound like cash for your life.
  • 11 doctors in Manitoba, which had 189 new cases and 4 deaths today, have written the province to warn about a growing number of Delta cases.
  • Alberta reports 150 cases today and 2 deaths, as it just announced this afternoon that is lifting all restrictions as of Canada Day that will allow full attendance at the Calgary Stampede.
  • B.C. 120 and 1 death, Saskatchewan 94 cases, Nova Scotia 11, New Brunswick 3 and Newfoundland and Labrador and Nunavut had none. PEI and NWT had yet to report by mid-afternoon.
  • Africa suffering shortage of vaccines as last week cases were up 52 per cent and deaths 32 per cent.
  • As Joe Biden went toe to toe with Vladimir Put, Americans were widely opening their country as COVID cases in Moscow hit a daily record Friday with 9,056 cases. That’s nearly 30 per cent above the day before. Across Russia 17,262 new infections were registered Friday, the highest daily tally since early February.
  • He’s the Boss and he says no to AstraZeneca. Bruce Springsteen’s Broadway show is only open to fans who are fully-vaccinated with Pfizer, Moderna or J&J vaccines.

 

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