Simcoe Muskoka logs 23 new COVID-19 cases, two new virus-related deaths
The Simcoe Muskoka health unit logged 23 new COVID-19 cases since Friday and two virus-related deaths.
The health unit says two Simcoe County residents died after contracting the virus. They are the second and third deaths reported this month. In May, 18 residents lost their lives after becoming infected, and in April, there were 25 deaths.
To date, the region has had 248 COVID-19 deaths.
There are currently 144 active infections, including 16 hospitalizations.
VACCINATIONS
Over 482,550 doses of a COVID-19 vaccine have been given to Simcoe Muskoka residents, including those administered by local pharmacies.
The health unit reports 383,223 residents (63 per cent) have had their first shot, while 99,359 (16 per cent) are fully vaccinated.
Those numbers break down to show 74 per cent of adults have had at least one dose, while more than half of local children 12 to 17 have had their first vaccine.
Ontario accelerated second doses for anyone living in Simcoe Muskoka after adding the region to the province's list of hot spots.
Starting Monday, residents who had their first dose of an mRNA vaccine on or before May 9 can book or reschedule their second shot at a shortened interval.
VARIANTS
Ontario added Simcoe Muskoka to its list of hot spots for the Delta variant late last week.
On Monday, the Simcoe Muskoka health unit reports 20 cases are confirmed to be the Delta, B.1.617.2 strain, two more than last reported.
The region's medical officer of health said the Delta variant was about 50 percent more contagious, noting a second dose of the vaccine is the best way to protect against it.
Still, public health said that while more contagious, transmission of the Delta variant appears to be under control.
"For the last three weeks, it's been fairly stable, so it hasn't taken off. It isn't going at an accelerated speed," said Dr. Colin Lee on Friday.
The UK B.1.1.7 remains the dominant variant in Simcoe Muskoka, with nearly 4,000 cases.
The region has had a total of 4,856 variant cases confirmed to date, with another 669 unidentified infections that screened positive for a variant.
Health officials believe the Delta variant will become the dominant strain of COVID-19 in the coming weeks, even months.
ONTARIO COVID-19 CASES
The province reported 270 new infections on Monday, its lowest case count since Sept. 15, 2020. Most of the new COVID-19 cases were recorded in Toronto (47), Waterloo (44) and Peel Region (42).
According to Ontario's epidemiology report, another 136 Delta variant cases were identified for a total of 887 lab-confirmed cases.
The province said more than 2.9 million Ontarians are considered immunized.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparent scam: London, Ont., senior beats fraudsters not once, but twice
It was a typical Tuesday for Mabel Beharrell, 84, until she got the call that would turn her world upside down. Her teenaged grandson was in trouble and needed her help.
Deaths of 4 people on Sask. farm confirmed as murder-suicide
The deaths of four people on a farm near the Saskatchewan village of Neudorf have been confirmed a murder-suicide.
CRA no longer requiring 'bare trust' reporting in 2023 tax return
The Canada Revenue Agency announced Thursday it will not require 'bare trust' reporting from Canadians that it introduced for the 2024 tax season, just four days before the April 2 deadline.
Full parole granted to man convicted in notorious 'McDonald's murders' in Cape Breton
The Parole Board of Canada has granted full parole to one of three men convicted in the brutal murders of three McDonald's restaurant workers in Cape Breton more than 30 years ago.
Incident on Calgary's Reconciliation Bridge comes to safe resolution
Nearly 20 hours after a man climbed and remained perched on top of the Reconciliation Bridge in downtown Calgary, the situation came to a peaceful resolution.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
George Washington family secrets revealed by DNA from unmarked 19th century graves
Genetic analysis has shed light on a long-standing mystery surrounding the fates of U.S. President George Washington's younger brother Samuel and his kin.
'We won't forget': How some Muslims view Poilievre's stance on Israel-Hamas war
A spokesman for a regional Muslim advocacy group says Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's stance on the Israel-Hamas war could complicate his party's relationship with Muslim Canadians.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.