Simcoe Muskoka logs 26 new COVID-19 infections as Ontario enters Step 1
As residents across Simcoe Muskoka line up at businesses that reopened Friday as part of Ontario's Step 1, the health unit reported an uptick in the number of new COVID-19 cases.
There are 26 new infections Friday, more than three times the case count reported 24 hours earlier. The health unit reported eight new cases on Thursday, the lowest single-day case count in eight months.
Still, the daily case counts are well below where they were back in April when the health unit logged over 100 daily infections.
Breakdown
Friday's numbers show eight positive tests in Oro-Medonte, five in Barrie, three each in Bradford and Collingwood, two in Innisfil and single cases in Ramara, Severn, Tay, Wasaga Beach and Orillia.
There are currently 239 active infections, including 25 hospitalizations.
Deaths
No new virus-related deaths were reported this week, marking the first week since November to have zero lives lost to COVID-19 in the region.
In May, 18 local residents died with the virus, and 25 died in April.
Vaccines
According to the health unit, 60 per cent of residents have had their first shot, while nine per cent have had both.
The health unit is offering youth-focused clinics for children 12 to 17 to get their shot.
Additionally, a pop-up immunization clinic is open in Bradford West Gwillimbury on Friday and Saturday for anyone 12 and older to get their first dose. Second doses are also being offered to Simcoe Muskoka residents 70 and older.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.
Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
'Summer of discontent': Federal unions vow to fight new 3-day a week office mandate
Federal unions are launching legal challenges and encouraging public sector workers to file "tens of thousands" of grievances over the new mandate requiring federal workers to return to the office at least three days a week in the fall.
Watch fighter jet pilots pummel fake enemy ship off coast of Philippines
The United States and Philippines held annual joint-training drills just off the Southeast Asian nation’s western coast on Wednesday. Military forces sunk a 'mock' enemy warship – the BRP Lake Caliraya, which was a decommissioned tanker made in China.
'Ozempic babies': Reports of surprise pregnancies raise new questions about weight loss drugs
Numerous women have shared stories of 'Ozempic babies' on social media. But the joy some experience in discovering pregnancies may come with anxiety about the unknowns.
OPINION What King Charles' schedule being too 'full' to accommodate son suggests
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
'I killed four people': Trial hears video evidence of Jeremy Skibicki at Winnipeg trial
“I killed four people,” alleged serial killer Jeremy Skibicki told two homicide detectives during a recorded interview played as evidence in his trial Wednesday.
AstraZeneca says it will withdraw COVID-19 vaccine globally as demand dips
AstraZeneca said on Tuesday it had initiated the worldwide withdrawal of its COVID-19 vaccine due to a 'surplus of available updated vaccines' since the pandemic.
Seafood, eat food: Calgary Stampede releases Midway menu
The Calgary Stampede has released its menu of sweet, salty and spicy treats available on the Midway for the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.