Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com

SIMCOE-MUSKOKA — With today the last official day for vaccine passports, Simcoe-Muskoka reports 243 confirmed cases over the weekend.

As of Tuesday Ontario will no longer require you to show your QR code with proof of vaccination —though some restaurants, bars or other public facilities may still require them.

Premier Doug Ford hinted today that Ontario’s mask mandate may end after the March school break, but said no date has been set.

This as most other COVID restrictions in the province will be lifted March 1, including remaining capacity limits.

Meanwhile the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit (SMDHU) reports 32 cases Monday (the province post 62 cases), with 34 in hospital (4 overnight) and 7 in ICU.

Two more women in the community have also reportedly died in the region as well.

A Muskoka woman, 65-79, passed away back on Jan. 11.

And last week, Feb. 22, a woman 80+ from Simcoe did Feb 22.

The two bring the number in deceased in 2022 (as of Feb. 28) to 40 in February and 73 in January and 404 overall.

There are still 989 active cases.

Protest today sees health unit head office closed to public

Health officials say an “organized protest” against public health measures Monday morning at their main Sperling Drive office forced them to close their doors to the public for the remainder of the day.

But all other health unit offices and the Health Connection phone line remained open during regular business hours, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., they said in a release Feb. 28.

Health Connection can be reached at 705-721-7520 or 1-877-721-7520.

The Barrie office is expected to reopen tomorrow at 8:30 a.m.

“We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.”

Gardner added in an emailed reply to our question about the disruption: “We have had a small group of protesters present just off our property.

“In anticipation of their protest we had all staff who could work remotely do so, and closed our office to the public.

“We have had most of our staff working remotely throughout the pandemic and have been able to maintain operations in this way today.”

Vaccination clinic in Bracebridge seniors centre Saturday March 5

A one-day pop-up vaccination clinic this weekend in Bracebridge is part of ongoing immunizations continuing across the region March 1 to 5.

Walk-ins for first, second, third and booster doses for eligible adults and youth ages 12 and up, as well as the paediatric Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for children aged five to 11 are available on a first-come basis, while supplies last and no appointment is necessary.

The health unit strongly encourages those who are eligible to get their vaccine, particularly a booster dose, as soon as they can as a booster dose helps to reduce your risk for severe illness and chance of requiring hospitalization if you become infected with COVID-19. Youth aged 12 to 17 are eligible for a booster shot at least six months (or 168 days) after they received their second dose, while adults 18 years and older can receive a booster 3 months (84 days) after their second dose.

Saturday, March 5

Clinic location: Bracebridge Centre for Active Living, 54 Dominion St., 1:30 – 4 p.m.

Other options for accessing your vaccine or booster include appointments and walk-ins (based on supply) at the health unit’s community vaccination clinics across Simcoe Muskoka and at the COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic at 29 Sperling Dr. in Barrie. Appointments for the Cottage Country Family Health Team in Gravenhurst and the Algonquin Family Health Team in Huntsville can be booked through the COVID-19 vaccination portal or by calling the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre at 1-833-943-3900. Select pharmacies are also providing vaccines.

When attending a clinic, individuals are encouraged to dress for the weather as they may be required to wait outdoors before entering the clinic. They are also reminded to bring identification (e.g., health card, driver’s license, passport) a list of any medications they are taking, wear a loose-fitting shirt that allows easy access to the upper arm and bring any assistive devices as needed (e.g., scooter, wheelchair, cane).

For more information about how to prepare for an appointment and what to expect upon arrival at the clinic, please visit our COVID-19 pages at smdhu.org/getvaccinated.

MONDAY: PHO CONFIRMED COVID CASES: … 64 IN SIMCOE-MUSKOKA (107 YESTERDAY) … ONTARIO 1,315 AND 3 DEATHS; 849 IN HOSPITAL; AND 279 IN ICU … TORONTO 245 (273) … YORK 69 (133) … PEEL 54 (163) … NORTH BAY-PARRY SOUND 25 (29) …

HEALTH UNIT HIGHLIGHTS:

• 35,258 confirmed cases to date
• 35 cases this week
• 549 new cases last week, 21% lower than the 695 cases the week before
• 40 deaths in February, 73 in January
• From July 18 to February 27 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.
• To date, 608 cases have tested positive for the Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant of concern, and an additional 2,124 cases are considered suspect Omicron (awaiting confirmatory testing).
• 1,271,426 vaccine have been administered to date
• 496,550 resident 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 received at least one dose of vaccine

IN OTHER COVID NEWS …

• More than 2/3 of Ontario’s 2,343 ICU beds are occupied — 28.7 per cent are available for use.
• Quebec reports 1,446 in hospital, 94 in ICU and 7 deaths
• New York State will no longer require students to wear masks in schools as of Wednesday.

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