Simcoe Muskoka logs 31 new COVID-19 cases, student infections climb
Public health logged 31 new COVID-19 positive cases in Simcoe Muskoka on Friday as student cases climb.
Most of Friday's cases are in Barrie (11), Innisfil (4), Springwater (4), and Essa (2).
Half of those who tested positive are unvaccinated, either because they refuse or are not yet eligible, while the remaining are fully vaccinated.
A dozen cases reported are due to close contact with a positive case. Four are community-acquired, and one is outbreak-related. The remaining are under investigation.
There are 171 active cases in the region, including 12 hospitalizations, one more than yesterday.
COVID-19 SCHOOL OUTBREAKS
The health unit said the outbreak at St. Marie of the Incarnation in Bradford is the largest outbreak in a school since the start of the pandemic, with 21 student cases.
Simcoe Muskoka's associate medical officer of health, Dr. Colin Lee, said during a Q&A with parents Thursday night that the goal is to keep schools open.
Lee said the risk of transmission among students remains low with safety measures in place, including cohorting, masking and physical distancing.
"We haven't seen any transmission between cohorts, like between Grade 1 and Grade 2 or during recess or other activities that mix classes.
And that really speaks to the effectiveness of the precautions of limiting inter-cohort mixing during regular school days and as of October first, no cohort mixing at all," Lee said.
He added that in the case of St. Marie of the Incarnation, 21 cases among a student body of more than 800 was not concerning enough to close the school. He noted that the infection was transmitted mainly within a single cohort and siblings.
Additionally, the number of students infected at Orchard Park Elementary School in Orillia has jumped to 10 since the outbreak was declared on Oct. 5.
W.C. Little Elementary School in Barrie has four confirmed cases among students.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
'Tactical evacuations' underway near Fort Nelson, B.C., as wildfires encroach
The BC Wildfire Service says 'tactical evacuations' began Friday near Fort Nelson, B.C., due to an out-of-control wildfire that has grown rapidly since it was discovered earlier in the afternoon.
Snowbirds in Vancouver for puck-drop flyby as Canucks face Oilers
The Canadian Forces Snowbirds will be performing a flyover across downtown Vancouver at the start of tonight's Stanley Cup playoff game between the Canucks and the Edmonton Oilers.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Video shows naked raccoon catching B.C. family by surprise
When Marvin Henschel spotted a strange and hairless creature wandering through a front lawn in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, he could barely believe his eyes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Out-of-control wildfire prompts evacuation alert for Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek Estates Friday night
An evacuation alert was issued for two Wood Buffalo communities Friday night, as crews battled an out-of-control wildfire near Fort McMurray.