Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com

SIMCOE-MUSKOKA — And now the end is near …?

Not for the pandemic, but for capital city protesters in the impending and impeding days.

As Ottawa police tighten their perimeter around Parliament, local public health officials in Simcoe-Muskoka report 150 COVID cases today.

Including 2 more community deaths in Simcoe: A girl under 19, who died Feb. 10; and a man 80+ who died yesterday, Feb. 16.

With 29 deaths in February, 71 in January that = 100 in 2022. (In total 391).

Along with them are 41 residents in regional hospitals, 3 of them overnight. Another 9 were in ICU as of Wednesday.

This as Ottawa police say no outsiders will be allowed near Wellington Street — except those who live or work in the restricted area; and that “unlawful protesters” from the Freedom Convoy are being denied re-access if they leave the occupation encampment while the chaotic and controversial capital standoff enters it fourth weekend wave.

Meanwhile, back closer to home, the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit (SMDHU) adds that there are 1,599 active confirmed COVID cases at present. (To date there have been 34,281 cases.)

Today’s number adds up to 430 this week, since Sunday. That compares to 762 and 949 the past two weeks.

All of this as the federal government and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau are being pressed by media for more transparency on specific reasons for the Emergencies Act.

And the CBC is reporting on extreme right-wing ties of some of the 13 charged in Coutts, Alta., where a stash of weapons was found. Facebook video shows one protester charged claimed he was ready to die for the cause.

HEALTH UNIT HIGHLIGHTS:

• 34,281 confirmed cases to date
• 430 cases this week
• 762 last week, 20% lower than 949 cases the week before.
• 29 deaths in February, 71 in January
• From July 18 to February 16, the rate of COVID-19 hospitalizations among the unvaccinated vaccine-eligible Simcoe Muskoka population is 4 times higher than it is for those who have received at least two vaccine doses, the rate of COVID-19 ICU admissions is nine times higher and the rate of deaths is 3 times higher.
• 1,263,970 vaccines have been administered
• 496,005 residents have received at least one vaccine, which represents 80% of the total population
• 85% of the population 5+ have had at least one vaccine, including 81% of youth 12 to 17
• 48% of children 5 to 11 have also received at least one dose of vaccine

IN OTHER COVID NEWS …

• In a world more say has gone mad, businesses fear backlash if they continue to ask for proof of vaccines even as “official” Omicron cases are in decline according to governments.
• Some First Nations in northern Ontario are seeing a surge in cases.
• More Canadian financial institutions are joining government calls to freeze bank accounts of people and groups opposed to vaccinations … and other governing measures.
• Novavax’s vaccine has been approved for use in Canadians age 18 and older, Health Canada said Thursday.
• Ontario orders school boards to offer dual remote learning for one more year, as part of $26.1 billion in funding equal to an increase to $13,059 per student. Will also provide $35 million for summer schools and reading help for kids who have fallen behind
• In Hong Kong COVID isolation literally means isolation in prisons.
• Unvaccinated truckers bringing urgent medical equipment into Canada are exempt from testing and quarantining rules, says the federal government. That would conceivably include any shortage of blood testing vials reportedly in short supply that has some doctors being urged to cut back on ordering blood tests.

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