Simcoe Muskoka health expert urges caution as Ontario hints at more easing restrictions
The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit (SMDHU) applauds the move by the province to start rolling out the QR codes for its vaccination certificate program.
Residents have had to show proof of immunization for nearly a month at non-essential businesses across Ontario, but now a digitalized version is being made available to the public.
"This just really streamlines things for everyone, businesses and people attending venues where vaccine certificates are necessary just to make things quicker," says Dr. Colin Lee, SMDHU associate medical officer of health.
Premier Doug Ford said his cabinet would release an updated plan for exiting Step Three of the province's roadmap next week, which is expected to further ease capacity restrictions in settings like restaurants and fitness facilities.
Dr. Lee says the decisions facing the provincial cabinet are challenging, and he urges caution.
"We're really in a precarious position right now. We are at a good equilibrium at this time, but I think we need to take things a little slow," he says.
"We can't open up too many types of venues too quickly. One step at a time so that we don't have to pedal back," he adds.
Dr. Lee says that he hopes the province continues a gradual approach to reopening, saying there needs to be time to analyze the data to reduce the risk of going backwards.
"It is a fight between us and COVID, and some jurisdictions have failed, and we don't want to fail, so I think we should continue to take it slow," Lee says.
Dr. Lee expects the region to see a similar case count to last week, approximately 30 per cent higher than the week before.
He notes that he anticipates a further rise in cases in the weeks to come as temperatures drop.
"We know the weather is getting colder, worse, and there will be more people congregating indoors, and COVID loves being indoors in terms of getting to other people," the doctor says.
In Simcoe Muskoka, there has been a rise in cases among elementary school-aged children.
Since the school year began in September, there have been more cases in elementary schools than in high schools, something Dr. Lee attributes to the fact that those between the ages of five and 11 are still unable to get vaccinated.
"This is not unexpected," he says.
"We don't think that the numbers are out of control, and if we do see numbers rise, we do increase our measures at school," Dr. Lee concludes.
There are currently three outbreaks in elementary schools in Bradford, Orillia and Barrie. In all, 35 cases among students have been confirmed.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.