Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com

SIMCOE-MUSKOKA — More than 10 per cent of 142 local COVID cases today were reported in Muskoka as the province is adding new capacity limits Sunday.

And 10 of those 15 Muskoka cases were in Huntsville.

They are:

1. Bracebridge woman, 18-34, under investigation, reported Dec. 16, first episode Dec. 14
2. Georgian Bay woman, 35-44, under investigation, reported Dec. 16, first episode Dec. 15
3. Gravenhurst girl, 0-17, under investigation, reported Dec. 16, first episode Dec. 15
4. Gravenhurst woman, 35-44, under investigation, reported Dec. 16, first episode Dec. 12
5. Huntsville girl, 0-17, under investigation, reported Dec. 16, first episode Dec. 15
6. Huntsville girl, 0-17, outbreak, reported Dec. 16, first episode Dec. 15
7. Huntsville girl, 0-17, under investigation, reported Dec. 16, first episode Dec. 15
8. Huntsville man, 18-34, under investigation, reported Dec. 16, first episode Dec. 15
9. Huntsville man, 35-44, under investigation, reported Dec. 16, first episode Dec. 15
10. Huntsville woman, 45-64, under investigation, reported Dec. 16, first episode Dec. 6
11. Huntsville woman, 45-64, under investigation, reported Dec. 16, first episode Dec. 12
12. Huntsville man, 45-64, under investigation, reported Dec. 16, first episode Dec. 10
13. Huntsville man, 45-64, under investigation, reported Dec. 16, first episode Dec. 15
14. Huntsville man, 45-64, under investigation, reported Dec. 16, first episode Dec. 14
15. Muskoka Lakes woman, 18-34, under investigation, reported Dec. 16, first episode Dec. 14

They bring to 1,080 the number of active COVID cases in the region.

This as 95 fully vaccinated cases topped 41 unvaccinated and 6 partially vaccinated cases.

Two dozen are currently in hospital — two of them admitted overnight.

New provincial limits to slow Omicron

The province said this afternoon that the latest provincial modelling suggests the increased transmissibility of the Omicron variant could put additional strain on Ontario’s hospital capacity, making it critical to slow the spread as the government dramatically increases vaccine capacity and expands eligibility for third booster doses.

And that it recently doubled its vaccination capacity and continues to ramp up further to get as many vaccines into arms as possible.

They add that more than 156,000 doses were administered yesterday, with capacity to be increased to 200,000 to 300,000 in the coming days.

They say it is to further strengthen its response and reduce opportunities for close contact as the province gets as many vaccines into arms as possible, Ontario is introducing a 50 per cent capacity limit in the following indoor public settings:

• Restaurants, bars and other food or drink establishments and strip clubs;
• Personal care services;
• Personal physical fitness trainers;
• Retailers (including grocery stores and pharmacies);
• Shopping malls;
• Non-spectator areas of facilities used for sports and recreational fitness activities (e.g. gyms);
• Indoor recreational amenities;
• Indoor clubhouses at outdoor recreational amenities;
• Tour and guide services; and
• Photography studios and services;
• And marinas and boating clubs

These limits do not apply to any portion of a business or place that is being used for a wedding, a funeral or a religious service, rite, or ceremony. Businesses or facilities will also need to post a sign stating the capacity limits that are permitted in the establishment.

To further reduce the spread of COVID-19 and the Omicron variant, additional protective measures are also being applied:

The number of patrons permitted to sit at a table will be limited to 10 people and patrons will be required to remain seated in restaurants, bars and other food or drink establishments, meeting and event spaces and strip clubs.

Bars and restaurants, meeting and event spaces and strip clubs will be required to close by 11 p.m. Take out and delivery will be permitted beyond 11 p.m.

Dancing will not be allowed except for workers or performers.

Food and/or drink services will be prohibited at sporting events; concert venues, theatres and cinemas; casinos, bingo halls and other gaming establishments; and horse racing tracks, car racing tracks and other similar venues.

The sale of alcohol will be restricted after 10 p.m. and consumption of alcohol in businesses or settings after 11 p.m.

In addition, to mitigate COVID-19 transmission that can occur at informal social gatherings, the province is also reducing social gathering limits to 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors.

These restrictions will come into effect on 12:01 a.m. on Sunday, December 19, 2021.

“This was not an easy decision to make before the holidays, but the evidence is clear that further public health measures are required to slow the spread of Omicron and prevent our hospitals from being overwhelmed,” said Deputy Premier and Minister of Health Christine Elliott.

FRIDAY: COVID BY THE P.H.0. NUMBERS: … 138 CASES IN SIMCOE-MUSKOKA (107 YESTERDAY) … ONTARIO 3,124 AND 5 DEATHS (2,421-9) … TORONTO 759 (505), YORK 215 (143), PEEL 209 (153) … NORTH BAY-PARRY SOUND 7 (6) … PORCUPINE 5 (5) …

HEALTH UNIT HIGHLIGHTS:

• 17,215 cases to date
• 529 cases this week (with two more days of reporting to go)
• 564 last week, which was 4% lower than the 588 cases the week before
• From Dec. 22 there have been 1,658 confirmed COVID-19 cases among vaccinated individuals
• 4 deaths in December, 14 in November, 5 each in October and September
• From Oct. 17 to Dec. 11 the rate of COVID-19 infection among the unvaccinated vaccine-eligible Simcoe Muskoka population is seven times higher than it is for fully vaccinated population and the rate of COVID-19 hospitalizations is 16 times higher.
• 3,396 Delta variants of concern
• 3 cases of the Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant officially been reported in Simcoe Muskoka, with most others expected to confirmed.
• 714 cases awaiting confirmation of variant
• 1,007,920 vaccines have been administered
• 481,170 resident have received at least one vaccine, which represents 80% of the total population
• 84% of the population 5+ have had at least one vaccine; including 82% of youth 12 to 17 years of age.
• 34% of children 5 to 11 have also received at least one vaccine

IN OTHER COVID NEWS …

• Pfizer is working on a three-dose vaccine for kids 6 months to 4 years. But its two-dose tests on children 2-4 weren’t effective.
• Canada’s independent Senate rubber-stamped Liberal government spending measures that would allow it to assist businesses with losses due to the pandemic.
• Many provinces are cutting capacity limits as they experience Omicron surges. Record numbers Friday were seen in PEI with 31 daily cases and Nova Scotia 394 active cases.
• Ontario modelling shows it could top the record 4,812 cases last April 16 if further actions aren’t taken says the Science Advisory Table.
• Canada’s largest province already has 359 people in hospital (up from 309 last week) and 157 in ICU.
• The Leafs will be without their captain, John Tavares, and winger Alex Kerfoot in Vancouver tomorrow night after they became the Leafs’ first players to test positive. They join almost 60 other NHLers out.
• Denmark is moving to close cinemas, art galleries, concert venues and like as case rose in one day to 11,000 Friday from 10,000 Thursday.

EMAIL: [email protected]

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