Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com

SIMCOE-MUSKOKA — As Canada’s top doc says Omicron has “peaked,” 8 new COVID deaths in the region today were all aged 80+.

They include 3 from outbreaks in Muskoka.

1. Male 80+, community, Jan. 24, Simcoe
2. Female 80+, community, Jan. 22, Simcoe
3. Male 80+, outbreak, Jan. 22, Simcoe
4. Female 80+, community, Jan. 23, Simcoe
5. Male 80+, outbreak, Jan. 18, Muskoka
6. Male 80+, outbreak, Jan. 23, Simcoe
7. Female 80+, outbreak, Jan. 22, Muskoka
8. Female, 80+, outbreak, Jan. 26, Muskoka

They bring to 50 the number of Simcoe-Muskoka residents who have died this month and among more than 1,000 deaths in Ontario in January.

The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit (SMDHU) also reports 227 confirmed cases since yesterday, including 60 people in hospital and 9 in ICU.

Dr. Theresa Tam says cases dropped this week nationally to the point Friday where she declared that COVID-19’s variant could be on the way down.

Weekend cold warning could see -35 temps

Meanwhile, the health unit has issued a cold alert for Simcoe-Muskoka.

An extreme cold warning has been issued by Environment Canada for Simcoe and Muskoka for tonight through to Saturday morning with wind chill values between -30°C and -35°C in Simcoe and near -35°C in Muskoka.

Decreasing temperatures can put everyone at risk for cold-related illness or injury, such as frostbite and hypothermia. Health risks are greatest for those who are marginally housed or homeless, outdoor workers and sports enthusiasts, older adults, infants and children, and persons with preexisting medical conditions such as heart or lung disease.

The recommend you consider shortening outdoor play for children when temperatures are between -20°C to -25°C (with or without wind chill) and keep children indoors if temperatures reach or drop below -27°C (with or without wind chill). More advice about winter safety for your children can be found at Caring for Kids, developed by the Canadian Paediatric Society.

And to reduce your risk, avoid exposure to the cold by covering exposed skin with a hat, gloves, scarf, and take regular breaks from the cold, in warm locations whenever possible.

For more information about cold and its impact on your health visit smdhu.org/extremecold.

FRIDAY: CONFIRMED PHO COVID CASES: … 243 IN SIMCOE-MUSKOKA (204 YESTERDAY) … ONTARIO 5,337 AND 67 DEATHS (5,852-70) 3,535 IN HOSPITAL (3,645), 607 IN ICU (599) … TORONTO 845 (1,014) … YORK 307 (318) … PEEL 690 (842) … NORTH BAY-PARRY SOUND 38 (36) …

HEALTH UNIT HIGHLIGHTS:

• 31,361 confirmed cases to date
• 951 cases this week
• 1,812 cases last week, 32% lower than the 2,650 cases reported for the week of January 9.
• 50 deaths in January, 10 in December
• From July 18 to January 27 the rate of COVID-19 hospitalizations among the unvaccinated vaccine-eligible Simcoe Muskoka population is 6 times higher than it is for those who have received at least two vaccine doses, the rate of COVID-19 ICU admissions is 12 times higher and the rate of deaths is 4 times higher.
• 399 cases have tested positive for the Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant of concern, and an additional 1,836 cases are considered suspect Omicron (awaiting confirmatory testing).
• 1,232,898 vaccines have been administered
• 493,310 residents have received at least one vaccine, which represents 82% of the total population
• 86% of the population 5+ have had at least one vaccine; including 82% of youth 12 to 17
• 47% of children 5 to 11 have received at least one vaccine

IN OTHER COVID NEWS …

• 5 Team Canada members test positive arriving in Beijing for Olypmics. But their names won’t be released.
• Workers who say they got COVID at work may be able to apply for WSIB benefits. This as the province let two contracts worth almost $44 million to Deloitte, a private company, to run the province’s new sick day benefits program.
• Norway’s King Harald V, the came to Gravenhurst’s Little Norway camp site, has come down with a cold after meeting with the country’s foreign minister who tested positive.
• Sarah Palin, who is unvaccinated, dined outdoors in NYC Wednesday two days after testing positive and three days after dining indoors in the city.
• The U.S. Centers for Disease Control say N95 masks can be worn as many as five times — though it depends on whether it’s a quick in-and-out at the grocer or all-day on the job.

EMAIL: [email protected]

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