ALMOST 300 CASES REGIONALLY, WITH MUSKOKANS ACCOUNTING FOR 18 OF THEM FRIDAY

Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com

SIMCOE-MUSKOKA — On the eve of what’s meant to bring hope, this year’s new beginning is more like the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future.

Simcoe-Muskoka hit another record at 298 cases today and Ontario nearing 10,000.

Muskoka’s share is 18 cases Friday — ending the week at more than 900 across the region.

The cases all reported yesterday and under investigation are:

  1. Bracebridge girl, 0-17, first episode Dec. 22
  2. Bracebridge woman, 18-34, first episode Dec. 22
  3. Bracebridge man, 18-34, first episode Dec. 19
  4. Gravenhurst girl, 0-17, first episode Dec. 21
  5. Gravenhurst girl, 0-17, first episode Dec. 17
  6. Gravenhurst boy, 0-17, first episode Dec. 22
  7. Gravenhurst boy, 0-17, first episode Dec. 20
  8. Gravenhurst woman, 35-44, first episode Dec. 21
  9. Gravenhurst woman, 35-44, first episode Dec. 22
  10. Huntsville boy, 0-17, first episode Dec. 22
  11. Huntsville woman, 18-34, first episode Dec. 22
  12. Huntsville man, 18-34, first episode Dec. 22
  13. Huntsville man, 18-34, first episode Dec. 22
  14. Huntsville woman, 35-44, first episode Dec. 22
  15. Huntsville woman, 35-44, first episode Dec. 22
  16. Huntsville man, 65-79, first episode Dec. 22
  17. Huntsville man, 80+, first episode Dec. 22
  18. Muskoka Lakes man, 18-34, first episode Dec. 22

* A case from Huntsville Dec. 23 was moved to another health unit.

Hospitalizations are down to 25 with one admitted overnight.

Of the 298 cases in Simcoe-Muskoka, 189 were fully vaccinated, 89 were unvaccinated and 14 partially vaccinated.

FRIDAY: COVID P.H.0. NUMBERS: … 270 CASES IN SIMCOE-MUSKOKA (213 YESTERDAY) … ONTARIO 9,571 AND 6 DEATHS (5,790-7) … TORONTO 2,456 (1,527), YORK 604 (470), PEEL 1,113 (491) … NORTH BAY-PARRY SOUND 37 (30) … PORCUPINE 60 (36) … KINGSTON 195 (146) …

Omicron is the new Scrooge, reflecting in the ghosts of past, present and future Christmases.

HEALTH UNIT HIGHLIGHTS:

* NOTE: Confirmed cases underestimate the true number of people with COVID-19 infection in Simcoe Muskoka. The current demand for lab-based PCR COVID-19 testing has exceeded capacity, and this in conjunction with other biases (e.g. limited testing of asymptomatic individuals) can contribute to underestimating COVID-19 transmission in our communities.

  • 18,448 cases to date
  • 909 cases this week
  • 853 last week, which was 51% higher than the 564 cases reported for the week of Dec. 5
  • From Dec. 22 there have been 2,458 confirmed COVID-19 cases among vaccinated individuals.
  • 6 deaths in December, 14 in November, 5 each in October and September
  • From Oct. 24 to Dec. 18 the rate of COVID-19 infection among the unvaccinated vaccine-eligible Simcoe Muskoka population is five times higher than it is for fully vaccinated population and the rate of COVID-19 hospitalizations is 15 times higher.
  • 3,528 Delta cases
  • 78 Omicron
  • 1,013 cases awaiting confirmation of VOC
  • 1,071,131 vaccines have been administered
  • 484,897 residents have received at least one vaccine, which represents 80% of the total population
  • 84% of those 5+ have had at least one vaccine; including 82% of youth 12 to 17 years of age
  • 38% of children 5 to 11 years of age have received at least one dose of vaccine

Hospitalizations were down to 25 today and 1 person was admitted overnight.

IN OTHER COVID NEWS …

  • All quiet in Bethlehem as Christians hold small vigil at traditional birthplace of Jesus.
  • Meanwhile, Pope Francis celebrated midnight Mass inside St. Peter’s Basilica, along with 1,500 people, while proceeding to the altar without wearing a mask. Everyone else did. Francis is missing part of a lung and had intestinal surgery in July. He has mostly not worn a mask.
  • Ontario hospitalizations hit 508 with 164 in ICU.
  • Nunuvut is closing all indoor public spaces and allowing only essential businesses to open after 8 are reported — a jump from 3.
  • B.C. asked residents not to get tested unless they have symptoms, as the province has maxed out testing capacity.
  • Manitoba reports 742 cases, New Brunswick 257, Newfoundland and Labrador 85.
  • Florida hit a new pandemic high with 31,758 cases.
  • U.S. relaxing requirement for hospital employees with COVID to go back to work after 7 days and not 10 if they symptom-free and test negative.
  • Japan approved Merck’s antiviral pill to treat people in early stages of COVID.

EMAIL: [email protected]

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