Simcoe Muskoka logs lowest COVID-19 case count since Sept. 2020
The Simcoe Muskoka health unit reports six new COVID-19 cases Tuesday as infection rates continue to decline across the region.
Five of the new cases are residents under 45, the sixth is a senior 65 to 79. There are two in Barrie, both community-acquired, plus two in Oro-Medonte, and two in New Tecumseth.
There are currently 142 active infections across Simcoe Muskoka, including 23 hospitalizations.
The daily moving average has declined in recent weeks to below 15 cases, down from 100 daily cases in April.
No new virus-related deaths have been reported this week. The region's COVID-19 death count sits at 246.
Meanwhile, the province reports 296 new infections in the last 24 hours, the lowest case count since Sept. 17.
Vaccine
Currently, 73 per cent of adults 18 years and older living in Simcoe Muskoka have had at least one dose of vaccine, and 48 per cent of children 12 to 17 years of age have had their first shot.
Ontario reports 184,989 doses of a COVID-19 vaccine were administered in the past 24 hours. Just over 11.5 million vaccine doses have been given to residents across the province since the rollout began.
Variants
COVID-19 variants remain a concern for health care professionals.
To date, 4,820 local cases tested positive for a variant. The UK B.1.1.7 remains the most common variant locally, with 3,939 cases. Additionally, 136 cases tested positive for the P.1, 30 cases identified as the B.1.351, and 15 cases tested positive for the B.1.617.2 delta variant, currently the dominant strain in Ontario.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trudeau acknowledges charges in Nijjar killing, calls for commitment to democracy
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has acknowledged the charges laid Friday in relation to the murder of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
No proof man lied to brother about number of kittens born in litter, B.C. tribunal rules
A man was denied a $5,000 payout from his brother after a B.C. tribunal dismissed his claim disputing how many kittens were born in a litter.
Bodies recovered in Mexico likely 2 Australians, 1 American who went missing: officials
Three bodies recovered in an area of Baja California are likely to be those of the two Australians and an American who went missing last weekend during a camping and surfing trip, the state prosecutor’s office said Saturday.
Princess Anne lays wreath at B.C. veteran's cemetery; receives 21-gun salute
Princess Anne paid tribute to veterans buried at a cemetery in British Columbia today, laying a wreath to honour the more than 2,500 military personnel and family members buried there.
Mystik Dan wins the 150th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in a three-horse photo finish
Mystik Dan won the 150th Kentucky Derby in a photo finish, edging out Forever Young and Sierra Leone for the upset victory.
'I just can't believe that it took so long': Body found in wreckage 3 months after deadly fire
A man accused of arson in a January Old Strathcona apartment fire is expected to be charged with manslaughter after a body was discovered in the burned building late last month.
Quebec police hand out hundreds of tickets to Hells Angels and other bikers before 'first run' meeting
Quebec provincial police handed out hundreds of fines to Hells Angels members and other supporting motorcycle clubs who met for their 'first run' in a small town near Sherbrooke, Que.
Work stoppage possible as WestJet issues lockout notice to maintenance engineers' union
A lockout notice issued by WestJet to a union representing aircraft maintenance engineers could result in a work stoppage next week.
London Drugs begins 'gradual reopening' on 7th day after cyberattack
Almost a week after all London Drugs stores across Western Canada abruptly closed amid a cyberattack, they began a "gradual reopening" on Saturday.