Simcoe Muskoka health unit reports 6 new COVID-19 cases
The Simcoe Muskoka health unit reports six new COVID-19 cases on Thursday.
The latest infections are listed in Barrie (3), Wasaga Beach (2), and Georgian Bay (1).
Five of the cases are currently under investigation as public health tries to track down how each infected resident contracted the virus. One case in Wasaga Beach was community-acquired.
The positivity rate in Simcoe County sits at 0.4 per cent and 0 per cent in Muskoka compared to the provincial positivity rate of 0.9 per cent.
COVID-19 testing rates have stabilized to low levels not posted since last summer.
Still, experts caution things can change dramatically in the fall as temperatures dip. The expectation is the unvaccinated population will be most at risk and could spark a fourth wave.
"We still have a substantial proportion of our population that is unvaccinated," Dr. Charles Gardner said during a COVID-19 update on Tuesday.
COVID-19 VACCINES
The Ontario government set a benchmark of having 80 per cent of the population vaccinated with at least one dose before considering exiting Step 3.
Currently, 55 per cent of eligible Simcoe Muskoka residents are fully vaccinated.
The region's associate medical officer of health, Dr. Colin Lee, says the initial target of 80 per cent was "based on the Alpha variant" and not the highly contagious Delta variant.
"Therefore, if we do exit Step 3 using the current 80 per cent target, in order to prevent a fourth wave, we need to be prudent and not completely return to normal immediately," Lee said.
He advises residents to continue to follow safety measures.
"We would still need to retain some COVID precautions such as masking in indoor public spaces and caution around attending locations where physical distancing is difficult."
The local doctor points to the safety of the younger population. "We have to bear in mind that those under 12 years of age have not had a chance to be immunized and need to be protected."
SIMCOE MUSKOKA CLINICS
Residents with a vaccine appointment booked between Aug. 11 and Aug. 28 may have to reschedule as the health unit prepares to close its mass immunization clinics.
Reschedule your COVID-19 vaccine here.
Meanwhile, the health unit offers first and second shots with no appointment at various locations across the region.
THURSDAY
RVH Immunization Clinic
29 Sperling Drive, Barrie
10 am -4 pm
Holly Community Centre
171 Mapleton Avenue, Barrie
11 am - 5pm
Canada Summit Centre
20 Park Dr., Huntsville
Dose 1: 10 am – 5 pm
Dose 2: 12 pm - 4 pm
North Simcoe Sports and Rec Centre
527 Len Self Blvd., Midland
11 am – 1 pm
FRIDAY
RVH Immunization Clinic
29 Sperling Drive, Barrie
10 am -4 pm
Holly Community Centre
171 Mapleton Avenue, Barrie
11 am - 5pm
Canada Summit Centre
20 Park Dr., Huntsville
Dose 1: 10 am – 5 pm
Dose 2: 12 pm - 4 pm
Collingwood Curling Club
250 Hume St.
10 am - 3 pm
Bob Fallis Arena
2961 10 Sideroad, Bradford
12 pm - 5 pm
SATURDAY
RVH Immunization Clinic
29 Sperling Drive, Barrie
10 am -4 pm
Holly Community Centre
171 Mapleton Avenue, Barrie
11 am - 5pm
Canada Summit Centre
20 Park Dr., Huntsville
Dose 1: 10 am – 5 pm
Dose 2: 12 pm - 4 pm
Rotary Place Arena
100 University Ave., Orillia
10 pm - 4 pm
Bob Fallis Arena
2961 10 Sideroad, Bradford
12 pm - 5 pm
SUNDAY
RVH Immunization Clinic
29 Sperling Drive, Barrie
10 am -4 pm
Innisfil Rec Centre
7315 Yonge Street
11 am - 5 pm
North Simcoe Sports and Rec Centre
527 Len Self Blvd., Midland
11 am – 1 pm
Rotary Place Arena
100 University Ave., Orillia
10 pm - 4 pm
Monday
RVH Immunization Clinic
29 Sperling Drive, Barrie
10 am -6 pm
Innisfil Rec Centre
7315 Yonge Street
11 am - 5 pm
Penetanguishene Memorial Arena
61 Maria St.
11 am – 3 pm
Rotary Place Arena
100 University Ave., Orillia
10 am - 4:30 pm
New Tecumseth Recreation Centre
7300 Industrial Pkwy, Alliston
12 pm – 5 pm
Residents need to bring a health card, list of medications and dress appropriately as there may be a wait outdoors.
Walk-in appointments are available while supplies last.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Cargo ship had engine maintenance in port before Baltimore bridge collapse, officials say
The cargo ship that lost power and crashed into a bridge in Baltimore underwent 'routine engine maintenance' in port beforehand, the U.S. Coast Guard said Wednesday.
A Nigerian woman reviewed some tomato puree online. Now she faces jail
A Nigerian woman who wrote an online review of a can of tomato puree is facing imprisonment after its manufacturer accused her of making a “malicious allegation” that damaged its business.
Far North police 'dispatch' polar bear stalking schoolyard
Police and local hunters in an Ontario Far North First Nation community have “dispatched” a polar that was showing abnormal behaviour and treating the area as a hunting ground.
Donald Trump assails judge and his daughter after gag order in N.Y. hush-money criminal case
Donald Trump lashed out Wednesday at the New York judge who put him under a gag order that bars him from commenting publicly about witnesses, prosecutors, court staff and jurors in his upcoming hush-money criminal trial.
Families shocked after Niagara Falls hotel cancels bookings made year in advance of solar eclipse
After having the foresight to book their Niagara Falls hotel rooms more than a year in advance, several families planning to take in the solar eclipse next month were shocked to find out their reservations had been cancelled.
B.C. rescuers face 'high likelihood' of failure to reunite orphaned orca with pod
The race to reunite an orphaned orca calf that’s stuck in a shallow lagoon with a neighbouring pod has entered its fifth day, and a marine scientist says the clock is ticking.
Video shows police interrupting auto theft in progress outside Toronto home
New video footage obtained by CP24 shows the attempted theft of a vehicle in a North York driveway earlier this month that was ultimately interrupted by police.
Majority of Canadians believe in life after death: Angus Reid survey
A new survey from the Angus Reid Institute has found that a majority of Canadians believe in some form of life after death, a proportion that has held steady for decades.
MyPillow, owned by U.S. election denier Mike Lindell, formally evicted from Minnesota warehouse
A court ordered the eviction Wednesday of MyPillow from a suburban Minneapolis warehouse that it formerly used.