SIMCOE-MUSKOA TOPS 400 DEATHS, INCLUDING 1 MORE IN MUSKOKA

Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com

SIMCOE-MUSKOKA — Face it — masks are here to stay.

Don’t ditch your favourite one that was hand-made or bears a logo you like.

Not even as provinces begin pulling back on the certain curtain.

That’s the message today from Dr. Theresa Tam, who says: “Whether your jurisdiction requires it or not or whether your setting requires it or not, it’s something you can do to protect yourself and others,” Dr. Theresa Tam, the country’s chief public health officer.”

You know that egg commercial about “You’re weird …,” well those continuing to wear facial covering for airborne protection will be the exception rather than the rule.

But being Canadians face-wear will be accepted with more ease in most parts of the country than in Quebec.

The un-maxxed, now more at ease, are showing their faces ever more — outdoors at least.

It’s still the law inside Ontario.

This as Simcoe-Muskoka cases upped the ante with 162 reported by the health unit (134 according the province). It also topped 35,000 cases.

A good sign Friday is that hospitalizations fell to 30 — a relatively dramatic drop of more than 25 per cent from the 42 yesterday.

Today the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit (SMDHU) also reports 3 overnight hospitalizations, 7 in ICU and 5 more deaths — including 1 more in Muskoka:

  1. Male 80+, Simcoe, community, Jan. 13
  2. Female 45-64, Simcoe, community, Feb. 19
  3. Male 80+, Simcoe, outbreak, Feb. 16
  4. Female, 80+, Muskoka, community, Feb. 19
  5. Male, 80+, Simcoe, sporadic, Feb 23

This as Freedom Convoy organizer Pat King was denied bail today. The judge cited that King wouldn’t abide by conditions — and the perception of justice would be harmed if he was let out.

Meanwhile, Tam said about 10 per cent of case now are Omicron’s new variant BA.2, which is also not as severe at Delta.

How do you get COVID in ICU?

Here some interesting, alarming, perplexing — and frightful — stats from the Ministry of Health yesterday.

About 49 per cent of those admitted to hospital were seeking treatment for COVID-19 symptoms, while 51 per cent were admitted for other reasons — but had since tested positive for the virus.

Accordingly, about 76 per cent were admitted to intensive care specifically for the virus, while the rest were admitted for other reasons and tested positive.

Which beggars the question: How do you get COVID in ICU?

People like retired Dr. Ardyn Todd, above, and Rotarian Allyn Abbott, who were helping with the weekend Muskoka potato drive, are smart to keep wearing a mask, Dr. Theresa Tam says today.

HEALTH UNIT HIGHLIGHTS:

  • 35,023 confirmed cases to date
  • 398 cases this week
  • 695 last week, 9% lower than the 762 the week before
  • 39 death in February, 72 in January
  • From July 18 to February 24, 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 eight times higher and the rate of deaths is 3 times higher.
  • 1,269,492 cases to date
  • 496,422 residents have received at least one vaccine, which represents 81% 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 vaccine
Hospitalizations fell more than 25 per cent to 30 from 42 day-over-day, with 3 new admittances and 7 in ICU.

IN OTHER COVID NEWS …

  • As Ontario lifting more restrictions next week federal Labour Minister Seamus O’Regan is calling on provinces and territories to pay workers 10 sick days per year.
  • Quebec reports 1,532 in hospital, 5 more have died and 105 are in ICU.
  • U.S. continues to keep 60 countries on its health list of un-recommended travel destinations.
  • Germany and Hong Kong are experiencing record numbers.

EMAIL: [email protected]

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