August begins with rise in COVID-19 cases in Simcoe Muskoka
The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit (SMDHU) is logging nine new cases of COVID-19 since it last reported Friday, three of those cases are since Sunday; along with two hospitalizations in Simcoe Muskoka.
There are 40 active COVID-19 cases in the region, and the health unit says case counts have been climbing. Twenty-eight cases were reported the week of July 25, while the previous week saw an increase of 21 per cent, with 23 new infections reported.
The nine cases logged Tuesday were in Barrie (6), New Tecumseth (1), Oro-Medonte (1) and Georgian Bay (1).
An outbreak was declared at Orillia's Oak Terrace on Friday. Chief Medical Officer, Revera, Dr. Rhonda Collins said two staff members are infected, and no residents have contracted the virus to date.
As of Tuesday, more than 40 per cent of total cases in the region are considered to be a variant of concerns (VOC).
Of the 5,061 confirmed variant cases, 190 have tested positive for the highly contagious Delta variant, while another 670 tests have come back positive for a VOC and are awaiting confirmation.
VACCINATIONS IN SIMCOE MUSKOKA
Just over 69 per cent of eligible residents have had their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, while almost 58 per cent are considered fully immunized.
Walk-in COVID-19 vaccination clinics are being held this week across the Simcoe Muskoka District Health unit for people aged 12 years and up for either a first or second dose.
Second doses must be 28 days after a first dose mRNA vaccine or eight weeks after a first dose of AstraZeneca with informed consent.
No appointment is necessary at any of the SMDHU clinics listed on their website. People using the clinics will need to bring a health card, list of medications and dress for the weather as there may be a wait outdoors.
The SMDHU announced plans last week to close the mass immunizations clinics that have been open since Dec. 2020 in late August due to the increased vaccination rates.
The health unit said anyone with a vaccine appointment booked after Aug. 27 would be "notified and encouraged to move up their appointments or attend a walk-in clinic."
With files from CTV's Kim Phillips and CTV's Craig Momney
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
LIVE B.C. seeks ban on using drugs in 'all public spaces,' shifting approach to decriminalization
The B.C. government is moving to have drug use banned in 'all public spaces,' marking a major shift in the province's approach to decriminalization.
Air traveller complaints to Canadian Transportation Agency hit new high
The Canadian Transportation Agency has hit a record high of more than 71,000 complaints in a backlog. The quasi-judicial regulator and tribunal tasked with settling disputes between customers and the airlines says the backlog is growing because the number of incoming complaints keeps increasing.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
AFN chief says Air Canada offered a 15% discount after her headdress was mishandled
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief complained to Air Canada about how staffers treated her and her ceremonial headdress on a flight this week, she says the airline responded by offering a 15 per cent discount on her next flight.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
U.S. flight attendant indicted in attempt to record teen girl in airplane bathroom
An American Airlines flight attendant was indicted Thursday after authorities said he tried to secretly record video of a 14-year-old girl using an airplane bathroom last September.
76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid says he has Bell's palsy
Philadelphia 76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid has been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, a form of facial paralysis he says has affected him since before the play-in tournament.
More than 115 cases of eye damage reported in Ontario after solar eclipse
More than 115 people who viewed the solar eclipse in Ontario earlier this month experienced eye damage after the event, according to eye doctors in the province.
DEVELOPING Bird flu outbreaks: WHO weighs in on public health risk
The current overall public health risk posed by the H5N1 bird flu virus is low, the World Health Organization said on Friday, but urged countries to stay alert for cases of animal-to-human transmission.