Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com

SIMCOE-MUSKKOA — As the prime minister ended the Emergencies Act today — two day after Parliament passed it — local COVID cases rose by a quarter to a third regionally — depending on whose numbers you rely on.

Trudeau said Wednesday that the first time special powers are no longer needed to deal with the crisis and chaos the country found itself in most of the past month.

“The situation is no longer an emergency,” Trudeau told a news conference this afternoon. “We are confident that existing laws and bylaws are now sufficient to keep people safe.”

Meanwhile here at home, yesterday the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit (SMDHU) reported 67 cases — today 87. Public Health Ontario (PHO) said according to it data intake the region went from 32 to 45 overnight.

Still fewer cases relative to the first two months of 2022 and the last few of 2021.

However, with Simcoe-Muskoka hospitalizations holding steady in the neighbourhood of 40 or so (42 today with 8 in ICU) relaxed rules underway have to remain a concern for health officials north of the GTA.

Dr. Charles Gardner, medical officer of health for SMDHU, wasn’t available today for his weekly media update. But he is ever cautious when commenting on the province’s “bit early” reopening plans. To him he prefers erring on the side of caution.

With 2 people admitted to hospital and 3 in Simcoe dying overnight, Gardner has reason for some concern.

Deaths reported today:

• Male 65-79, Simcoe, community, DOD Feb. 16
• Female 80+, Simcoe, community, DOD Feb 17
• Male 65-79, Simcoe, outbreak, DOD Feb 20

And while the Omicron variant has been more contagious, it has been less fatal than the first wave for seniors.

New details today show that there were 6,572 fifth wave cases in LTCs between Dec. 15 and Jan. 29 — with 251 deaths. Compared that to February 2020 to August 2020 when there were 6,001 cases and 1,940 people died.

This as the National Guard in the U.S. has been called out ahead of planned protests in Washington this weekend, no doubt inspired by actions in its Canadian counterpart.

In Ottawa a councillor there wants Wellington Street in front of Parliament Hill permanently closed to traffic to prevent big rigs taking over the city street again.

WEDNESDAY: PHO CONFIRMED COVID CASES: … 45 IN SIMCOE-MUSKOKA (32 YESTERDAY) … ONTARIO 1,475 AND 19 DEATHS (1,282-9); 1,106 IN HOSPITAL (1,038); AND 319 IN ICU (319) … TORONTO 224 (214) … YORK 81 (67) … PEEL 95 (89) … NORTH BAY-PARRY SOUND 32 (34) …

 

HEALTH UNIT HIGHLIGHTS:

• 34,741 confirmed cases to date
• 132 new cases this week
• 692 last week, 9% lower than the 762 cases reported the week before
• 34 deaths in February, 71 in January
• From July 18 to Feb. 22 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 nine times higher and the rate of deaths is 3 times higher.
• 1,267,937 vaccines have been administered
• 496,262 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

IN OTHER COVID NEWS …

• Quebec reports 1,672 in hospital and 17 who have died.
• Montreal calculates a third of its metropolitan population of 4,247,000 have come down with the virus.

EMAIL: [email protected]

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