Simcoe Muskoka logs more than 100 COVID-19 cases as infections surge for 7th week
The Simcoe Muskoka health unit reported more than 100 new COVID-19 cases Wednesday, as the region's incidence rate continues to soar above the province's.
"This is the seventh week in a row in which Simcoe Muskoka has had a rate higher than the provincial average," Dr. Charles Gardner said during a live COVID-19 update on Wednesday.
The region's medical officer of health reported Simcoe Muskoka's incidence rate is 97 cases per 100,000 population per week compared to Ontario's 44 cases per 100,000 population per week.
The health unit listed 106 new COVID-19 cases Wednesday, with most new cases in Barrie, Bradford, Innisfil and Severn.
There are 758 active cases, including 30 hospitalizations. Of those, five people diagnosed with COVID-19 are in intensive care.
Still, Dr. Gardner noted cases were not overwhelming hospitals and ICUs as seen during the peak of the third wave in April.
"We do need to watch very closely what's happening in hospitals as we deal with a surge in cases," Dr. Gardner added.
The health unit is investigating possible Omicron variant cases in seven individuals from the same household who recently travelled to Africa and returned to Simcoe County.
ONTARIO COVID-19 CASES
Meanwhile, Ontario reported 1,009 new cases on Wednesday, as daily case counts across the province continue to climb.
Simcoe Muskoka is in the top four regions across the province with the highest daily case counts.
Toronto has the highest daily case count with 124 new cases, Ottawa has 92 and Windsor-Essex has 75.
The province also reported eight new COVID-19-related deaths, bringing the total number of virus-related fatalities to 10,044.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
RCMP has been using spyware tools for years and in more cases than previously reported, MPs told
Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino and senior RCMP officers are defending the national police force's years-long and previously undisclosed use of spyware—capable of remotely accessing cell phone and computer microphones, cameras and other data—as part of dozens of major investigations.
Trump says FBI is searching his Mar-a-Lago estate; circumstances unclear
Former U.S. President Donald Trump says in a lengthy statement that the FBI is conducting a search of his Mar-a-Lago estate.
Actor, singer Olivia Newton-John dies at age 73
Singer and actor Olivia Newton-John, who was best known for playing Sandy in the film 'Grease,' has died at the age of 73, according to her husband.
Saskatoon woman who had been reported missing faces charges in U.S., Canada
Saskatoon police say a woman who had been reported missing is facing charges in the United States related to unauthorized use of identification and in Canada related to parental abduction and public mischief.
$1.4B in uncashed cheques sitting in CRA's coffers -- how to check if you're owed money
The Canada Revenue Agency says it will be sending e-notifications about uncashed cheques to 25,000 Canadians this month.
Liberals planning temporary solution to dental care promise: CP sources
Sources close to the government's proposed $5.3 billion dental care program say the Liberals are planning a temporary solution that involves giving money directly to patients in order to keep their promise to the NDP while they work on a more permanent answer.
'Your Danny, your John': Condolences pour in for Olivia Newton-John
Actors, musicians, politicians and fans are reacting to the news of Grammy Award-winning singer and actress Olivia Newton-John's passing at 73.
Bill Graham, ex-interim Liberal leader and post-9/11 foreign affairs minister, dies
Condolences from Canadian politicians past and present poured out Monday as they learned about the death of Bill Graham, who served as foreign affairs minister when the country decided against joining the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003.
State of Ontario's health-care system not unprecedented, health minister says
Ontario's health minister said Monday that six hospitals had to close departments -- including ERs -- over the weekend, but argued that the situation wasn't unprecedented.
Atlantic
-
N.B. family doctor waitlist now at 74,000
"Our health-care system is a system, meaning the problems in different areas impact others," said Dr. Katharine Smart in an interview last week.
-
Community cut off by Newfoundland forest fires running out of food, says deputy mayor
The deputy mayor of a southern Newfoundland town says his community is running out of food as it remains cut off from the rest of the island due to the worst forest fires the province has seen in more than 60 years.
-
Halifax cancels 75 bus trips, transit union says staff shortages will get worse
Halifax has cancelled 75 bus trips due to a lack of transit staff, and the union representing the drivers says staffing levels will likely get worse before they get better.
Montreal
-
Coroner orders public inquiry into Montreal shooting deaths
Quebec's chief coroner has ordered a public inquiry into the shooting deaths of three people, as well as that of the alleged gunman, following a killing spree last week in the Montreal area.
-
Pride parade cancellation could hurt Montreal's reputation, professor says
One day after Montreal Pride abruptly cancelled the parade just hours before it was set to begin, organizers didn't have much to say about how poorly they managed the festival's marquee event. And now there are concerns about how the embarrassing mistake could hurt the city's reputation.
-
Man found dead in bin during Montreal east-end recycling collection
Montreal police are investigating the suspicious death of a man whose body was found in a bin during recycling collection in the city's Hochelaga-Maisonneuve neighbourhood Monday morning.
Ottawa
-
Lack of compensation for cancelled flights adding to travellers' frustration
The travel chaos at airports is more than just flight delays and cancellations. Now passengers are getting rejected by Air Canada for compensation.
-
Full Ottawa LRT line to be closed early 10 days this month for track maintenance
Ottawa's Confederation Line LRT will be closing early on a total of 10 days this month as crews perform maintenance on the tracks, with reduced service planned on parts of the line for two other nights.
-
Bus trip cancellations expected to continue this week, OC Transpo warns
OC Transpo is advising customers to prepare for more bus trip cancellations today and this week, as the transit service deals with a staffing shortage caused by summer vacations and sick leave absences.
Toronto
-
Ontario hospitals plan to uphold COVID-19 vaccine policies amid 'crisis' staffing shortages
Ontario hospitals are upholding their mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policies for employees as staff shortages mount to a 'crisis' with more emergency departments temporarily closing over the weekend.
-
Residents north of Toronto furious after city allows 'monster' home to be built
A home under construction in Richmond Hill -- which is nearly twice as tall as the others on the street -- has heightened concerns among residents.
-
State of Ontario's health-care system not unprecedented, health minister says
Ontario's health minister said Monday that six hospitals had to close departments -- including ERs -- over the weekend, but argued that the situation wasn't unprecedented.
Kitchener
-
Some new student housing in Waterloo might not be ready in time for start of school year
Student housing is hard to come by in Waterloo and new spots are constantly being built to address the need, but it appears some new housing might not be ready in time for the start of the school year.
-
Brantford police looking for two suspects who escaped from police during chase
Brantford Police have issued an arrest warrant for a man and are asking the public for help identifying a second man following a police chase which resulted in multiple collisions and the two suspects evading arrest.
-
One-day emergency department closure coming to Clinton Public Hospital
Clinton Public Hospital will see another brief temporary closure of the emergency department due to staffing constraints.
London
-
London business owner in a coma, intensive care after falling off bicycle
Ali Azizi, owner of Smiley's Pizzeria, is in a coma after falling off his bike this past weekend in the city’s north end.
-
Actor, singer Olivia Newton-John dies at age 73
Singer and actor Olivia Newton-John, who was best known for playing Sandy in the film 'Grease,' has died at the age of 73, according to her husband.
-
'PTSD and mental anguish': Civil suit launched after fiery crash death of St. Thomas, Ont. woman
Every night between four and five in the morning, Bob Reid wakes up crying. The musician is still traumatized after witnessing a fatal crash in October 2020 on Highbury Avenue, between St. Thomas and London, Ont., which claimed the life of Cindy Devine.
Northern Ontario
-
Laurentian University staff union to take LU administrators to court
One of Laurentian University's biggest unions is considering taking some members of the university's administration to court.
-
One person killed Monday in head-on collision on Hwy. 69
A southern Ontario man was killed early Monday morning in a head-on collision with a tractor-trailer on Highway 69 near Parry Sound.
-
Timmins police say girl, 14, was swarmed, beaten and robbed by five other teens
Police in Timmins say a 14-year-old girl was injured Aug. 5 when she was surrounded and assaulted by five other teens in a school parking lot.
Windsor
-
Windsor police seek four suspects after assault on Glengary Avenue
Windsor police are looking for four suspects after an assault on Glengarry Avenue.
-
Masks still recommended indoors in Windsor-Essex despite provincial direction
The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit is still recommending the use of face masks indoors when physical distancing can’t be maintained.
-
Actor, singer Olivia Newton-John dies at age 73
Singer and actor Olivia Newton-John, who was best known for playing Sandy in the film 'Grease,' has died at the age of 73, according to her husband.
Calgary
-
Calgary man charged with murdering roommate after dispute: police
Calgary police have laid charges in a brutal assault last month that resulted in a man's death, saying the victim and the accused were roommates.
-
Lost bear turns up in Airdrie back yard Monday
Residents of the Airdrie neighbourhood of Sagewood can go outside again after a lost bear was found Monday.
-
Police lay 33 charges against two people for alleged drugs and firearm offenses
A Calgary man and woman face 33 charges for alleged drug possession in addition to alleged firearm possession that police say was for the purpose of trafficking drugs.
Saskatoon
-
Saskatoon mother who disappeared with son faces charges in U.S., Canada
A Saskatoon woman will face charges in the U.S. and Canada after she allegedly transported her son illegally across the border.
-
Saskatoon rally shows support for missing mom found in U.S. with son
On Sunday evening, people gathered at Kiwanis Memorial Park to show their support for Dawn Walker and her seven-year-old son.
-
Here's what you need to know about Paxlovid in Sask.
Here’s everything you need to know about accessing the COVID-19 antiviral medication Paxlovid in Saskatchewan.
Edmonton
-
2 no longer 'at large' after 'possible abduction' northeast of Edmonton: RCMP
Police say two people are no longer "at large" after a "possible abduction" from the Saddle Lake Cree Nation in northern Alberta Monday morning.
-
'Very concerning': Camrose casino wants to move to southeast Edmonton
Residents in southeast Edmonton are concerned after finding out that a casino could soon be relocating to their neighbourhood.
-
RCMP has been using spyware tools for years and in more cases than previously reported, MPs told
Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino and senior RCMP officers are defending the national police force's years-long and previously undisclosed use of spyware—capable of remotely accessing cell phone and computer microphones, cameras and other data—as part of dozens of major investigations.
Vancouver
-
Credit card, clothes found but U.S. man who travelled to B.C. for music festival still missing
Several belongings have been found, but there's still no sign of an American man who crossed the border to attend a music festival, officials said, announcing the suspension of search efforts.
-
Mystery irritant at B.C. playground causes kids' eyes, skin to burn
A mom in Chilliwack, B.C., says she was terrified after her children were exposed to an unknown irritant at a local playground that caused their skin and eyes to burn.
-
Average rent 'increased greatly' in Metro Vancouver this summer: report
Vancouver-area renters are being asked to pay significantly more in August than those looking for new accommodations in July, a report suggests.