Simcoe Muskoka's top doctor hints at stricter measures amid rising COVID-19 cases
A troubling trend of steadily rising COVID-19 infection rates in Simcoe Muskoka has the region's chief medical officer of health hinting at tightened restrictions.
"I'm very concerned now, and certainly considering with my colleagues what additional actions are needed and when," said Dr. Charles Gardner.
During a live COVID-19 update on Wednesday, Gardner said case counts had been increasing for nearly two months as vaccination rates slow with the closure of almost all mass immunization hubs.
The health unit reports six active outbreaks in Simcoe Muskoka, including a construction site, amusement centre and a camp.
It reports roughly 75 per cent of new cases are among residents either unwilling or unable to get the vaccine, with children making up 15 per cent of all cases.
"Even though so many people are protected with vaccination, many, many others are not. In particular younger age groups, youth and young adults. Men more so than women," Gardner said.
Local hospitals are treating 15 COVID-19-positive patients. Of those, eight have been admitted to ICUs. The health unit said none of the residents in intensive care had been immunized.
Gravenhurst currently has the region's highest incidence rate, with 68 cases per 100,000 population. Public health reports most positive cases in Muskoka are residents under the age of 35.
Gardner urged parents and anyone working in school or daycare settings to protect themselves and children under 12 who are unable to get the vaccine.
"We all need to do all that we can to safeguard the school environment to keep the schools open," he added.
A complete list of COVID-19 pop-up, walk-in clinics is available here.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
More than 115 cases of eye damage reported in Ontario after solar eclipse
More than 115 people who viewed the solar eclipse in Ontario earlier this month experienced eye damage after the event, according to eye doctors in the province.
Toxic testing standoff: Family leaves house over air quality
A Sherwood Park family says their new house is uninhabitable. The McNaughton's say they were forced to leave the house after living there for only a week because contaminants inside made it difficult to breathe.
Decoy bear used to catch man who illegally killed a grizzly, B.C. conservation officers say
A man has been handed a lengthy hunting ban and fined thousands of dollars for illegally killing a grizzly bear, B.C. conservation officers say.
B.C. seeks ban on public drug use, dialing back decriminalization
The B.C. NDP has asked the federal government to recriminalize public drug use, marking a major shift in the province's approach to addressing the deadly overdose crisis.
OPP responds to apparent video of officer supporting anti-Trudeau government protestors
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) says it's investigating an interaction between a uniformed officer and anti-Trudeau government protestors after a video circulated on social media.
An emergency slide falls off a Delta Air Lines plane, forcing pilots to return to JFK in New York
An emergency slide fell off a Delta Air Lines jetliner shortly after takeoff Friday from New York, and pilots who felt a vibration in the plane circled back to land safely at JFK Airport.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
Last letters of pioneering climber who died on Everest reveal dark side of mountaineering
George Mallory is renowned for being one of the first British mountaineers to attempt to scale the dizzying heights of Mount Everest during the 1920s. Nearly a century later, newly digitized letters shed light on Mallory’s hopes and fears about ascending Everest.
Loud boom in Hamilton caused by propane tank, police say
A loud explosion was heard across Hamilton on Friday after a propane tank was accidentally destroyed and detonated at a local scrap metal yard, police say.