GARDNER ADVISES AGAINST LIFTING PUBLIC MASK MANDATE ANY TIME SOON IN SIMCOE-MUSKOKA

Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com

SIMCOE-MUSKOKA — Masks are still mandatory indoors in public settings.

And while the province weighs lifting them after the March 14-18 school break, Dr. Charles Gardner says given current numbers (178* today) “that’s not the safest thing to do” — at least in this region.

He says masks remain the cheapest and easiest way to stave off COVID for businesses and their customers. And he still recommends them if you can’t remain six-feet apart — even if you are exposed for less than 15 minutes to a person who may have an unknown case of COVID.

The medical officer of health for Simcoe-Muskoka notes that while second dose vaccine coverage is high at 86 per cent of those 12+, booster shots trail significantly.

He said only 52 per cent of residents in the same age group have had a third doses; and only 51 per cent of people older than 50 have been immunized three times.

So he continues to advise against easing of restrictions now and continuance of the multi-layered health preventions of the past.

Gardner noted that today’s 178 cases include 102 that were part of a “data cleansing.”

Of the latest cases 71 per cent had had two or more vaccines, 26 per cent were unvaccinated and 3 per cent were partially vaccinated.

The region’s positivity rate is up half a point to 9 per cent this week over last.

Hospitalizations at 27 today are down from 43 two weeks ago; and 5 in ICU are down from 12 since Feb. 16.

Two community deaths were also reported Wednesday: one in Muskoka, a man 45-64 on Jan. 9; and a man 65-79 in Simcoe Feb 5 — the region’s 412th virus victim.

The last one is among 29 deceased the past two weeks ranging in age from under 20 to in their 90s. Eighteen were males, 11 female, 3 were from Muskoka, 26 from Simcoe County and 5 were in institutional homes.

Gardner said vaccinations, which were once 10,000 per day have dropped to less than 1,000 each day now. That includes 240 the past two days at 15 school clinics.

(A public clinic takes place this Saturday in Bracebridge

at the downtown active living centre on Dominion Street.)

Gardner said in a release this morning that “Although capacity limits have been lifted in most public settings and the provincial proof of vaccination system has ended, the COVID-19 pandemic is not over. We are still seeing community transmission and caution is essential.”

His best advice is think about your own risk exposure.

He even suggested opening windows in winter if possible.

As part of Ontario’s three-phase pandemic reopening plan, effective March 1, the province removed capacity limits in all remaining indoor public settings and lifted proof of vaccination requirements. However, individual businesses and organizations may choose to continue to require proof of vaccination.

He added in his briefing this afternoon that businesses and other public venue operators may still want to “seek legal counsel” regarding lifting of restrictions to protect clients and staff.

Masking in indoor public settings, including schools, will remain in effect until further notice from the province. Updated guidance and information for local businesses and organizations about these changes has been posted to the health unit’s website.

For more on COVID-19, vaccines, safety measures and requirements see their website at www.smdhu.org/COVID19.

WEDNESDAY: PHO CONFIRMED COVID CASES: … 160 SIMCOE-MUSKOKA (62 YESTERDAY) … ONTARIO 1,959 AND 27 DEATHS (1,176-18); 847 IN HOSPITAL (914); AND 273 IN ICU (278) … TORONTO 274 (223) … YORK 107 (80) … PEEL 113 (70) … NORTH BAY-PARRY SOUND 48 (23) …

Masks remain mandatory in public indoor settings, but Dr. Charles Gardner says you should still wear a mask even outdoors as these smart Coldest Night of the Year walkers did Saturday in Gravenhurst when you can’t keep six feet apart.

HEALTH UNIT HIGHLIGHTS:

  • 35,569 confirmed cases to date
  • 568 last week, 18% lower than the 695 cases the week before
  • 47 deaths in February, 74 in January
  • From July 18th to March 1 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.
  • 1,272,698 vaccines have been administered
  • 496,711 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 received at least one vaccine
Hospitalizations continue to decline with 27 as of today, with 4 admitted overnight.

IN OTHER COVID NEWS …

  • Bank of Canada raised its key interest rate to 0.5 per cent to fight inflation as costs spiral, including the price of gas due to Russia’s war on Ukraine. This means borrowing costs will rise and it is the first hike since it was dropped to 0.25 per cent in March 2020.
  • Quebec reports 20 deaths and 1,381 in hospital, including 82 in ICU.
  • WHO says cases fell 16 per cent in February and deaths were down 10 per cent.
  • Many Ontario municipalities will still require staff to be vaccinated.

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