2 MUSKOKA CASES ON THURSDAY AMONG 28 IN REGION, AS FOURTH WAVE WORSENS

Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com

SIMCOE-MUSKOKA — Put in context the fourth wave is far worse than the first three — with almost three quarters of Canadians fully vaccinated.

That’s as Simcoe-Muskoka reported 28 new cases today and 17 on Wednesday.

Thursday’s cases were:

  • Huntsville woman, 65-79, who had travelled and reported Aug. 18 after first episode Aug. 17
  • Lake of Bays man, 18-34, under investigation who was reported Aug. 17 following a first episode Aug. 11

This as Ontario reports 81.8 per cent of residents 12 years old and older have received their first shot and 74.2 per cent have been jabbed twice.

Dr. Charles Gardner said his week that he is particularly watching how the recipients respond.

The medical officer of health for the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit noted hospitalizations, which today were at 5, including 2 more added Thursday.

They are among 138 active cases, compared to yesterday when there were 125.

And now there are a dozen more Delta cases today at 324. A day ago there were 312 — with 79 still active as of today.

  • Meanwhile, in Gravenhurst, at the Marriott hotel is confident the latest wave lapping at its Muskoka Lakes shore won’t affect fall colour business.

They are offering a $500 signing bonus in a bid to hire “housekeeping cleanliness experts.”

THURSDAY: COVID BY THE NUMBERS … 25 CASES IN SIMCOE-MUSKOKA  (17 YESTERDAY) … ONTARIO 116 AND 17 DEATHS (485-3) … TORONTO 116 (108), YORK 62 (22), PEEL 63 (59) … NORTH BAY-PARRY SOUND 0 (0) …  PORCUPINE 2 (1) …

NEARBY VACCINATION CLINICS THIS WEEK:

Friday, Aug. 20: Washago Community Centre – 4361 Hamilton St., Washago 1:30 to 5:30 p.m.

Saturday, Aug. 21: MacTier Memorial Community Centre – 9 Haig St., MacTier 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

HEALTH UNIT HIGHLIGHTS:

  • 12,586 cases to date
  • 68 cases this week; 99 last week, which was 168% — or more than 2.5 times — higher than the 37 cases the week of Aug. 1.
  • 0 deaths in August, 4 in July, 6 in June
  • 4,004 Alpha variants, 166 Gamma, 34 Beta, 324 Delta
  • 679 cases await confirmation of VOC
  • 815,649 vaccines have been administered
  • 426,557 residents have received at least one dose of vaccine — 71% of the population
  • 80% of those 12 years and older have had one vaccine
  • 73% of youth 12 to 17 have also a first vaccine
A new number to watch is the 5 people who are in hospital, including 2 more reported today.

IN OTHER COVID NEWS …

  • B.C. reports 553 cases and Quebec 436 cases (3 deaths).
  • Toronto’s 37,000 city workers to be vaccinated by Oct. 30.
  • 209.5 million cases worldwide as of today.
  • 43 deaths among Canadian health care workers are among nearly 100,000 COVID cases since the pandemic began — including 30,000 viruses January to June this year.
  • Looking for a good investment? Booster shots will boost Pfizer and Moderna as the U.S. orders third shots for all Americans eight months after their last vaccine.
  • Joe Biden — who’s getting his booster shot nine months after second vaccine — is defending his country’s mass booster vaccination as many other countries haven’t had their first. He claims America’s pledge to share 600 million vaccines worldwide by June 2022 is more than all other countries put together.
  • Another top U.S. Republican Senator has tested positive in Mississippi after Texas’s governor did so yesterday. Both states have strong anti-vaccination movements led by some political leaders.
  • Country crooner Garth Brooks is suspending his tour after five dates due to rising cases. And Canadian country rocker Neil Young is doing likewise.
  • Florida school boards in some large cities are mandating masks in schools starting Monday despite the governor’s order against mandates.
  • ‘Redneck Riviera” in Alabama is rocking and rolling as hospitals suffer bed shortages. Crowds are partying like there is or isn’t a tomorrow.
  • Down Under the fourth wave is sweeping across Australia and New Zealand.
  • Meanwhile, many Latvians are protesting mandatory vaccinations.

 

 

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  • There have been 12,586 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Simcoe Muskoka since COVID-19 was first identified in Canada.
  • There have been 68 new cases reported to the health unit for the current week. There were 99 new cases reported to the health unit last week (week of August 8th), 168% or more than 2.5 times higher than the 37 cases reported for the week of August 1st.
  • There were six COVID-19 deaths reported in June and 4 in July among Simcoe Muskoka residents. So far in August, there have been zero COVID-19 related deaths.
  • To date 4,004 local cases have tested positive for Alpha (B.1.1.7) variant of concern, 166 cases have tested positive for the Gamma (P.1) variant of concern, 34 cases have tested positive for the Beta (B.1.351) variant of concern, 324 cases have tested positive for the Delta (B.1.617.2) variant of concern, and an additional 679 cases have screened positive (awaiting confirmatory testing).
  • In total 815,649 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in Simcoe Muskoka, including doses administered by local pharmacies. 426,557 individuals living in Simcoe Muskoka have received at least one dose of vaccine, which represents 71% of the total population.
  • Currently 80% of the population 12 years and older living in Simcoe Muskoka have had at least one dose of vaccine including 73% of youth 12 to 17 years of age who have received at least one dose of vaccine.