Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com

SIMCOE-MUSKOKA — As Ontario’s science advisory table predicts COVID cases to rise in ICUs and hospitals after masks are removed next week, Simcoe-Muskoka again saw its confirmed numbers up to 120 today from 103 yesterday.

That’s according the province. Local public health no longer reports Thursdays.

Public Health Ontario also reported cases up province-wide to 2,398 from 2,011.

Hospitalizations provincially dropped to 644 from 649; as did ICU admittances falling to 199 from 204.

This as the science advisors said Thursday that the lifting of Ontario’s mask mandate following the March break will mean more coronaviruses, but that they will be “manageable” and are not expected to top 1,000 hospitalizations.

Meanwhile, a Ukrainian company that was expected to produce ingredients or pills as part of a new generic licensing of the Pfizer vaccine is now in limbo due to Russia’s war on the bravely battling country. It’s part of more than three dozen countries that will soon be making cheaper vaccinations for half the world.

However, a Canadian company may not be as lucky as the World Health Organization (WHO) is expected to not approve a Quebec maker because of tobacco ties to its ingredients.

Health Canada has approved Moderna’s vaccine for kids 6-11, a group that is very under-represented among vaccine recipients in the region.

THURSDAY: CONFIRMED PHO COVID CASES: 120 IN SIMCOE-MUSKOKA (103 YESTERDAY) … ONTARIO 2,398 AND 13 DEATHS (2,011-15); 644 IN HOSPITAL (649); 199 IN ICU (204) … TORONTO 363 (327) … YORK 423 (103) … PEEL 137 (183) … NORTH BAY-PARRY SOUND 30 (30) …

IN OTHER COVID NEWS …

WHO worried about increasing spread of BA.2 — the subvariant of Omicron … Early mask-lifting in Europe is seeing an increase of cases. … Hamiltonians will have to still wear masks next week due to a city bylaw. … Germany is considering re-introducing face coverages. … Hong Kong’s 7.4 million residents are in the midst of a worrisome outbreak. … Canadians entering the U.S. don’t need a positive test if they are fully vaccinated. …

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