2 MUSKOKA COVID CASES ON FRIDAY AS WEEK ENDS DOWN AT 131 POSITIVE TESTS

Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com

SIMCOE-MUSKOKA — Local COVID cases were down this week with the health unit ending its five-day reporting period with 131 people testing positive.

Including 2 in Muskoka on Friday. They were among 35 reported by the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit (SMDHU).

That’s a big drop from 203 cases last week.

The Muskoka cases are:

  • Lake of Bays woman, 18-34, who had close contact before reporting yesterday after a first episode Monday.
  • Muskoka Lakes man, 65-79, is under investigation as to his cause after being reported yesterday and following a first episode Sept. 3.

They come as Canadians begin advanced voting in the federal election in which COVIC protocols led to line-ups as health restrictions were paramount.

However, there was no requirement for vaccine proof or certification.

Meanwhile, Ontario’s seven-day case average remains high at 729.

FRIDAY: COVID BY THE NUMBERS … 27 CASES IN SIMCOE-MUSKOKA (37 YESTERDAY) … ONTARIO 848 AND 11 DEATHS (798-10) … TORONTO 166 (159), YORK 77 (72), PEEL 117 (73) … NORTH BAY-PARRY SOUND 3 (2) … PORCUPINE 0 (1) …

Advance polls opened today with COVID mask safety measures, but no need for vaccine certification.

HEALTH UNIT HIGHLIGHTS:

  • 13,130 cases to date
  • 131 this week; 203 last week, which was 37% higher than the 148 cases the week of Aug. 22.
  • From December 22nd, 2020 onwards, there have been 167 confirmed COVID-19 cases among vaccinated individuals.
  • 4,008 Alpha variants of concern, 168 Gamma, 34 Beta and 781 Delta
  • 661 cases await confirmation of VOC
  • 851,407 vaccines have been administered
  • 440,313 residents have received one vaccine, which represents 73% of the total population
  • 83% of those 12+ have had one vaccine
  • 80% of youth 12 to 17 have also received one vaccine

The health unit reports that 7 people who were previously fully vaccinated tested positive for COVID-19 yesterday.

IN OTHER COVID NEWS …

South Africa has started vaccinating children and adolescents as part of the global Phase 3 clinical trials of China’s Sinovac Biotech shot for children 6 months to 17 years.

The global study will enrol 2,000 participants in South Africa and 12,000 others in Kenya, the Philippines, Chile and Malaysia.

A British scientist says booster shots may help the elderly and vulnerable, but may not be necessary for others. Oxford University Professor Sarah Gilbert, who works with AstraZeneca, was addressing a health panel advising the U.K. government, says London’s Telegraph newspaper. She said priority should be to vaccinate countries with limited supplies.

Canada added 90,000 jobs in August, according to Statistics Canada today.

The U.K.’s economic rebound levelled off in July with a GDP increase 0.1 per cent after gaining through June. In February 2020 growth was 2.1 per cent. This as British, Scottish and Irish residents face a pending pandemic tax to pay for resulting virus and social costs.

A cricket test in Manchester between England and India after an outbreak on the visiting team.

Washington State next week will expand indoor masks to outdoor gatherings of 500 or more.

Americans who refuse to wear masks on planes, trains and public transit face double the fine to $1,000.

 

EMAIL: news@muskokatoday.com

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