Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com BARRIE — From Barrie to Orillia — the coronavirus is spreading north as Ontario sees a surge in COVID-19 daily. The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit (SMDHU) said Wednesday that it is “following up with known contacts of its fifth confirmed case of COVID-19.” They said March 18 that a man […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com MUSKOKA — The question now is not what is closed — but what is left open. With daily reports, news releases and signs of closure popping up on storefronts everywhere, the growing community lockdown is having affecting all aspects of life. For safety reasons, COVID-19 has forced communities to redefine their […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com MUSKOKA — Ontario’s first death linked to the coronavirus nevery “presented” in Muskoka. “We know nothing about this,” Allyson Snelling, Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare’s corporate communications officer told MuskokaTODAY.com on Tuesday. Confusion earlier that day around national news that a “Muskoka” man in his 70s was COVID’s first victim in the province. […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com MUSKOKA — Natalie Bubela, head of the local hospitals, has been working at home this week helping them handle the COVID-19 crisis. As the coronavirus is expected to escalate in the coming weeks and breach the borders of Muskoka, the CEO of the Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare is recovering from surgery. She […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com ORILLIA — Frontline staff at Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital (OSMH) are looking to stock up as the corona fight stretches into an all-out war. It is more important now than ever before that the hospital has the backing of the community, says a release Wednesday. “For those of you with the stability […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com BRACEBRIDGE — MPP Norm Miller said today he wants to “thank everyone who has rearranged their lives to take extra precautions to slow the spread of this virus.” He didn’t just single out local health officials and medical staffs, but also staffs in grocery stores, pharmacies, suppliers, truck drivers and the […]
Keep your distance. Sounds simple, but a lot of people just aren’t getting it. Despite repeated daily warnings from health officials across the country, around the world and even specific advice from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, not everyone is getting the message about social-distancing to combat COVID-19. Or at least they’re not heeding it. It’s […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com MUSKOKA — Confusion and concern surround the Ontario’s first death related to COVID-19. People in Central Ontario are worried about exactly where the deceased resided and with whom he might have come in close contact with. Early reports this morning linked the man, first said to be in his 70s, to […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com MUSKOKA — As Ontario declares a state of emergency today, local municipal governments are also ramping up their responses to COVID-19. Tuesday, Bracebridge and Gravenhurst closed town halls to the public. Essential services will continue to be delivered to the community including Fire and Emergency and road operations. Additionally, staff will […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com MUSKOKA — Ontario Health Minister Christine Elliott confirmed today that a 77-year-old Muskoka man is the first person with COVID-19 to die in the province. Elliott said the man had the coronavirus, but she said they are not sure whether he orginated it or he later came in contact with someone […]
GRAVENHURST — Hydro customers with one of the local utilities have been promised a reprieve. Elexicon Energy (formerly Veridian Connections) says it “recognizes that this is a very difficult time for everyone, and we want our customers to know that we’re here to help and support them.” Elexicon is suspending all electricity disconnections until further […]
ORILLIA — As COVID-19 spreads, more private organization are stepping up to restrict the possible access to the virus. Locally, Casino Rama has finally given in to government and public concern and closed as of 3 p.m. Monday. Also in Orillia, the Orillia Museum of Art & History said at the same time that it […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com MUSKOKA — Be safe, take care, keep your distance, wash your hands — don’t hoard. And don’t panic. Healthy advice most of us are heeding in these unprecedented times for most of us with community transmition approaching locally. Being asked to self-isolate at home if you are vulnerable, returning from vacation […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com MUSKOKA — Gravenhurst and Huntsville are the latest to all-but-shutdown town facilities in the wake of the escalating unprecedented COVID health emergency. Officials in Gravenhurst said Monday that in consultation with neighbouring municipalities and health officials they “will continue to conduct own business with a calm and vigilant approach.” In addition […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com MUSKOKA — As of Tuesday, hospitals will restrict non-essential visitors to Muskoka hospitals. Monday, Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare (MAHC) said exceptions include special situations (obstetrical patients) and compassionate circumstances (palliative, critical patients). It also says it may need to further restrict visitors to the hospital in the future if community spread of […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com SIMCOE MUSKOKA — Regional health officials are investigating the death of a patient at RVH who came into contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19. And they are asking guests and staff who stayed at Barrie’s Hampton Inn March 5-11 to watch for symptom of the deadly coronavirus. This as the […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com MUSKOKA — Canada is now officially ordering all snowbirds to self-isolate themselves when they return home – and may even close the border. This after Ottawa told people not to travel abroad. In addition, Sunday, all casinos must close by 5 p.m. Monday. Ontario has asked hospitals to limit elective surgeries. […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com MUSKOKA — Today, the province announced closures and new restrictions at provincial parks. Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health and Jeff Yurek, Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks issued the following statement Sunday related to Ontario Parks operations in response to COVID-19: “Public safety and the well-being of […]
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com MUSKOKA — As local hospitals screen visitors and patients, two new special COVID-19 screening centres could open this week in Bracebridge and Huntsville. Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare (MAHC) officials are seeking the go-ahead from the province. They are co-ordinating the sites in co-ordination with the Family Health Teams, according to Terry Shields, […]
GRAVENHURST — Prison visits here have been cancelled at the federal correctional facility Beaver Creek. Inmates who are used to regular lockdowns won’t be able to come in contact with family or friends. It’s part of a national coronavirus response by Correction Service Canada (CSC). They say that in the interest of the health and […]