Ford says Ontario will 'revisit' possibility of separating Simcoe Muskoka's health unit borders
During a visit to Muskoka on Monday, Ontario Premier Doug Ford said the province would "revisit" the Simcoe Muskoka health unit's geographical borders following ongoing conversations about possibly separating cottage country and Simcoe County.
Ford said it "wasn't fair" to lump in Muskoka with places like Barrie, where most COVID-19 cases have been concentrated throughout the pandemic.
"It's unfair to other parts of this region," he said. "It's not fair. Do you know how many times I get a call from the mayor of Huntsville, Bracebridge, Parry Sound..." Ford said. "We're going to get through this pandemic, and we're going to have a good chat, may have to redraw the boundaries."
Ford said a review regarding dividing the health unit's borders would happen with the new provincial medical officer of health.
COVID-19 CASES ACROSS SIMCOE MUSKOKA
The Simcoe Muskoka health unit logged 16 new COVID-19 cases since Friday and no new deaths.
The cases listed Monday are in Huntsville (5), Barrie (2), Ramara (2), Penetanguishene (2), Bradford West Gwillimbury (2), Adjala-Tosorontio (1), Innisfil (1), and New Tecumseth (1).
Public health reports a 39 per cent decline in weekly case counts. Last week the region had a total of 39 infections, the lowest weekly count since Sept. 2020.
There are currently 97 active cases across the region, including 12 hospitalizations.
COVID-19 TRENDS
The positivity rate in Simcoe County is nearly at par with Muskoka at 0.9 per cent compared to 1.0 per cent.
The daily moving average is below 10 cases, a far cry from the daily average of 100 cases per day in April during the peak of the third wave.
VARIANTS OF CONCERNS
There have been 4,901 variant cases confirmed across the region to date.
The UK B.1.1.7. variant remains the dominant strain in Simcoe Muskoka, with 3,985 infections identified. However, health officials warn the Delta B.1.617.2 variant, which is more contagious, could become the more aggressive strain.
To date, public health has confirmed 51 cases as the Delta variant, a significant jump from numbers released last week where Delta-identified cases were in the 30s.
VACCINATIONS IN SIMCOE MUSKOKA
Nearly 65 per cent of residents have received at least their first COVID-19 vaccination shot, with 25 per cent having had both.
Health officials report two shots of a vaccine will provide 80 per cent effectiveness in fighting the virus.
On Monday, all adults 18 and older can book their second shot, and to help that happen, immunization clinics across the region opened more appointments throughout July.
Complete information on booking an appointment is available here.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Half of Canadians have negative opinion of latest Liberal budget: poll
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Canadian couple among tourists on sinking sailing boat tour abroad
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their “extremely dangerous” experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Ottawa injects another $36M into vaccine injury compensation fund
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
An Ontario senior called Geek Squad for help with his printer. Instead, he got scammed out of $25,000
An Ontario senior’s attempt to get technical help online led him into a spoofing scam where he lost $25,000. Now, he’s sharing his story to warn others.
Accused of burglary at stepmother's home, U.S. senator says she wanted her father's ashes: charges
A Minnesota state senator and former broadcast meteorologist told police that she broke into her stepmother's home because her stepmother refused to give her items of sentimental value from her late father, including his ashes, according to burglary charges filed Tuesday.
Twins from Toronto were Canada's top two female finishers at this year's Boston Marathon
When identical twin sisters Kim and Michelle Krezonoski were invited to compete against some of the world’s most elite female runners at last week’s Boston Marathon, they were in disbelief.