6 MUSKOKA OMI CASES; 1 MILLION VACCINES; BOOSTER BLITZ AT BMLSSS SATURDAY

Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com

SIMCOE-MUSKOKA — Another half dozen Muskoka COVID cases today — all likely Omicron — are among 159 regional cases being reported by the health unit.

This as word spreads that Omicron is an airborne spreader.

Dr. Steini Brown, co-chair of the Science Advisory Table, confirmed today that the most up-to-date modelling on the new wave shows: “It’s an airborne disease. I think that’s clear.”

So it was good news today that more than 1 million local residents have had at least one shot in the arm now.

That’s 1,001,568 vaccines administered regionally.

But, it also means more health restrictions now with more to coming.

Health-care workers tending to “suspected or confirmed” patients in hospitals, LTCs or a home-care situation must use a “fit-tested, seal-checked N95 respirator,” say new PPE guidelines from Public Health Ontario Wednesday.

And as of tomorrow, Friday Dec. 17, admitted patients at Muskoka’s two hospitals in Huntsville and Bracebridge may identify one “designated care partner (DCP)” who remains the same for the duration of their hospital stay to be an essential visitor.

Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare (MAHC) said in a release today that visiting by an inpatient’s DCP will be permitted between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., and visitation must follow MAHC’s guidelines to reduce risks associated with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The patient may also designate an alternate care partner who may visit when the designated care partner is unable to visit. Identified care partners must be over the age of 18, and only one may visit per day. Visiting may commence after the inpatient has received a negative COVID-19 swab result.

Thursday’s Muskoka cases are:

  1. Bracebridge woman, 18-34, under investigation, reported Dec. 14, first episode Dec. 13
  2. Georgian Bay girl, 0-17, close contact, reported Dec. 14, first episode Dec. 3
  3. Gravenhurst man, 35-44, under investigation, reported Dec. 14, first episode Dec. 13
  4. Gravenhurst man, 65-79, under investigation, reported Dec. 14, first episode Dec. 13
  5. Huntsville girl, 0-17, under investigation, reported Dec. 14, first episode Dec. 13
  6. Bracebridge man, 18-34, close contact, reported Dec. 12, first episode Dec. 12

While overall hospitalizations were down significantly to 23 — 4 more people were admitted overnight.

Booster blitz at BMLSS Saturday

Meanwhile, the health unit’s booster blitz that begins Saturday includes Bracebridge at the north-end public high school BMLSS.

It’s in addition to Muskoka community clinics already running at the Gravenhurst Community Centre and Huntsville Active Living Centre.

And as of today 30,000 Canadians have now died from COVID-19.

That’s significant because the first 10,000 to die weren’t until last November. Then as many more died within two months — as Delta took hold — and by January 20,000 had succumbed. The latest 10,000 have died the past 11 and-a-half months.

THURSDAY: COVID BY THE P.H.0. NUMBERS: … 104 CASES IN SIMCOE-MUSKOKA (114 YESTERDAY) … ONTARIO 2,421 AND 9 DEATHS (1,808-9) … TORONTO 505 (343), YORK 143 (149), PEEL 153 (132) … NORTH BAY-PARRY SOUND 6 (5) … PORCUPINE 5 (7) …

GHS students assembled on the sports field just past noon today on an unusually warm 17-degree December day after a suspected gas leak. The school board says a gas line was left on in a science lab.
Police, fire and Enbridge gas crews responded to alarms at the Gravenhurst High School early this afternoon. Students were back in class later after lunch. They begin the Christmas break tomorrow, but may not return as last year.

HEALTH UNIT HIGHLIGHTS:

  • 17,077 cases to date
  • 390 cases this week
  • 564 cases last week, which was 4% lower than the 588 cases the week before beginning Nov. 28
  • From Dec. 22 there have been 1,564 confirmed COVID-19 cases among vaccinated individuals
  • 4 deaths in December (all in Simcoe), 14 in November, 5 each in October and September
  • From Oct. 17 to Dec. 11 the rate of COVID-19 infection among the unvaccinated vaccine-eligible Simcoe Muskoka population is seven times higher than it is for fully vaccinated population and the rate of COVID-19 hospitalizations is 16 times higher.
  • 3,360 Delta cases
  • 1,001,568 vaccines have been administered
  • 480,607 residents have received at least one dose of vaccine, which represents 80% of the total population
  • 84% of the population 5+ have had at least one vaccine; including 82% of youth 12 to 17 years of age
  • 33% of children 5 to 11 have received at least one vaccine

More than 17,000 variants of concern have now been identified.

IN OTHER COVID NEWS …

Quebec reports 2,736 cases Thursday with new restrictions en route.

QR codes will be mandatory Jan. 4 at all public locations. So if you don’t have one on your phone, you can still get them

Fatigues and burned out — but provinces still want health-care workers willing to move or join the latest fight. Grads are also being head-hunted along with experienced professionals in many medical disciplines. And it’s bidding war in some parts of Canada.

In cities like Hamilton, where 100 municipal programs are being cut, the effects of Omi will be felt widely with service deliveries.

U.K. hospitality industry may get more help from government.

It’s not exactly ferme la porte … But French border officers will be asking U.K. visitors to self-isolate for 48 hours upon arrival and whether their visit is essential.

Health experts support employees who prefer working from home.

EMAIL: [email protected]

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