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
Canada, G7 urge 'all parties' to de-escalate in growing Mideast conflict
Canada called for "all parties" to de-escalate rising tensions in the Mideast following an apparent Israeli drone attack against Iran overnight.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
'It was all my savings': Ontario woman loses $15K to fake Walmart job scam
A woman who recently moved to Canada from India was searching for a job when she got caught in an online job scam and lost $15,000.
Families to receive Canada Child Benefit payment on Friday
More money will land in the pockets of some Canadian families on Friday for the latest Canada Child Benefit installment.
After COVID, WHO defines disease spread 'through air'
The World Health Organization and around 500 experts have agreed for the first time on what it means for a disease to spread through the air, in a bid to avoid the confusion early in the COVID-19 pandemic that some scientists have said cost lives.
Taylor Swift drops 15 new songs on double album, 'The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology'
On Friday, the pop star released her 11th album and at 2 a.m. Eastern, she released "The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology," featuring 15 additional songs.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.