RED ZONE LOCKDOWN ‘LIKELY’ BY CHRISTMAS, WARNS MOH GARDNER

Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com

SIMCOE-MUSKOKA — Forget a green Christmas.

We’re “likely” in for a red Christmas in two weeks, says the region’s top health official.

And don’t count on RVH’s deep freeze to save residents by then — or any time soon after that.

Dr. Charles Gardner said this afternoon that’s Simcoe and Muskoka “likely” face a move to a red zone lockdown if a trajectory of 450 cases per week happens as a result of holiday gatherings.

There are already 231 this week.

The chief medical officer of health informed reporters that a “significant” likelihood exists that should unmasking behaviours and large group gatherings continue there is a “high risk” of elevating the local status to lockdown conditions.

All because of behaviours south of the Muskoka and Simcoe North borders.

He said the coronavirus is moving north and that it’s unlikely, but not “impossible” that Muskoka could be spared further punitive measures by being partioned from areas of most health concern.

Indeed, with seven cases reported the top end of the region past two days.

Gardner said the escalating occurrences are the work of “multi-generational homes” and of travel to the GTA for work and a return home.

And of socializing further south.

He said the pandemic is obviously “not under control.”

But it could have been worse, he said in defence, had the province and health unit not done what it did.

“It could have been 20 to 30 times worse.”

And the health unit has a “strong leadership role” to play in the coming weeks.

He said with one deep freezer at Royal Victoria Hospital in Barrie it has the “potential” to be one of the province’s few vaccine distribution centres.

The vaccine will also mean more hiring by the health unit, which is also looking to the province for more money for the contact tracing they are “challenged” to keep up with.

So when can you expect to roll up your sleeve?

Gardner admitted “I don’t know when.”

“Technical challenges early on” for distribution will

National advisory guidelines call for LTC residents and staff first, followed by direct care providers and Indigenous populations.

Reports today say Ontario is due to get 40 per cent of some 70 million doses Canada has secured.

An added challenge for Public Health has been an increase alcohol and drug use this year, a people cope with mental health fallout.

Still the health unit persists in playing a defensive game rather than going on the offensive.

A social media campaign on now “aiming for a younger audience” relies on the American social media platforms of Facebook and Instagram at the expense of Canadian and local media companies.

Gardner said he “trusts” his communications team to advise him on the appropriate targets — as the numbers rise.

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