Simcoe Muskoka sees 'surge' in COVID-19 cases, with cottage country leading the way
Barrie, Ont. -
The health unit reports a "surge in cases," with 60 new COVID-19 infections in Simcoe Muskoka on Wednesday, plus one virus-related death.
The health unit said a Simcoe County woman, 45 to 64 died on Tuesday, becoming the region's 278th COVID-19 death.
In the first 24 days of November, 12 people living in Simcoe Muskoka have died after contracting the virus.
LOCAL CASE COUNTS SURGE IN NOVEMBER
Case counts have spiked over recent weeks, something of concern for the region's medical officer of health.
"We are definitely experiencing a substantial rise in our cases," Dr. Charles Gardner noted on Wednesday.
"We've had nearly as many cases occur in November as occurred in total in September and October," he added.
According to Dr. Gardner, November marks the first time in the pandemic that Simcoe Muskoka has surpassed the province's transmission rate.
"We are more than double the provincial rate," he said. "We're going up at a higher rate than the province."
The new cases listed on Wednesday are in Barrie (18), Huntsville (7), New Tecumseth (7), Midland (4), Adjala-Tosorontio (4), Springwater (3), Bradford (2), Orillia (3), Wasaga Beach (2), Ramara (2), Essa (3), Oro-Medonte, Severn and Penetanguishene.
MUSKOKA EXPERIENCES SPIKE IN CASES
While most cases have consistently been reported in Barrie and south Simcoe throughout the pandemic, the health unit said Muskoka is experiencing a surge with outbreaks in schools or other settings with children.
"This is something new and important for people in Muskoka to be aware of." Dr. Gardner said Muskoka's transmission rates had trailed well behind Simcoe County, but stated, "That is not the case right now."
Bracebridge now has the highest incidence rate per 100,000 population, with Barrie second.
VACCINATION IN SIMCOE MUSKOKA
"Immunization is the single most important thing you can do to protect yourself," the top doctor mentioned.
On Wednesday, the health unit reported over 6,700 appointments were booked for children aged five to 11 for their first COVID-19 vaccine shot.
There are currently 20 active school outbreaks, prompting Dr. Gardner to remind parents to screen their children for symptoms each morning.
Children under 12 make up just over 25 per cent of new cases.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Justin Trudeau's set to go after the Liberals pick his replacement, what now?
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, announcing Monday that he intends to resign as Liberal leader and prime minister as soon as his party names his replacement, has set a series of political machinations in motion.
Justin Trudeau steps down as Liberal leader. Who are the top contenders to replace him?
With Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's resignation as Liberal party leader, several well-known political faces may be waiting in the wings for their opportunity to take his place.
'Together, what a great nation it would be': Donald Trump, Elon Musk react to Justin Trudeau's resignation
Amid news of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's resignation as leader of the Liberal party on Monday morning, reactions from prominent figures began piling in.
Strong earthquake kills at least 95 people in western China near Mount Everest
A strong earthquake shook a high-altitude region of western China and areas of Nepal on Tuesday, damaging hundreds of houses, littering streets with rubble and killing at least 95 people in Tibet.
Doug Ford snaps back at Donald Trump's Canada taunts with offer to 'buy Alaska'
Ontario Premier Doug Ford has snapped back at Donald Trump’s frequent taunts about treating Canada as a U.S. state with a counterproposal: buying Alaska.
Trudeau resignation: recap key moments, analysis, reaction as it happened
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has stepped down as Liberal leader. Here's a recap of key moments, analysis, and reaction as it happened.
Trudeau says Parliament is 'prorogued' until March. What does that mean?
In his resignation speech on Monday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that Parliament would be prorogued until March, which will give the Liberal party time to find a new leader ahead of an expected confidence vote and early election.
Justin Trudeau resignation: Here's what he said in Ottawa today
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau delivered a speech about his political future Monday morning outside Rideau Cottage in Ottawa. Here's the message he delivered to Canadians.
Justin Trudeau is resigning after an historic political tenure, here's a look back at his career-defining moments
In a seismic political move, Justin Trudeau has announced his intention to step down as leader of the Liberal Party of Canada and prime minister, once his successor is named. This decision comes after more than nine years in the country's top job and nearly 12 years at the helm of his party.
Kitchener
-
Uncertainty surrounds college semester in Ontario as strike deadline looms
Students at Ontario’s 24 public colleges are beginning their winter semester under the cloud of a potential strike.
-
Tenants group demands action as high rents persist despite rising vacancies
According to the Fall 2024 Rental Market Report from the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC,) the vacancy rate in Kitchener-Cambridge-Waterloo has reached its highest level since 1993.
-
Justin Trudeau to step down as PM following Liberal leadership race
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is stepping down as Liberal leader, and is proroguing Parliament as the Liberal Party of Canada embarks on the journey to replace him.
London
-
Local MLB prospects Dylan O'Rae and Adam Hall preparing for spring training
Milwaukee Brewers prospects Dylan O’Rae and Adam Hall are getting in daily workouts at Centrefield Sports (CFS) in London, Ont. as they prepare for the warm Arizona sun next month.
-
New lawn signs to educate and reduce conflict over naturalized front yards in London
An advisory committee at city hall is offering new signs meant to end turf wars between London homeowners with naturalized yards and those with manicured lawns.
-
The January deep freeze is here - temperatures set to hold steady and cold
We’re in for a brisk start to the week, set to continue for the foreseeable future.
Windsor
-
Committee votes to keep entire Roseland Golf Course heritage designation
A proposal to remove the heritage designation from parts of the Roseland Golf Course received heavy scrutiny on Monday night from area residents.
-
Lakeshore dog owners no longer need to buy annual dog tags
The Municipality of Lakeshore has made the decision to stop its annual dog tag program, effective as of Jan. 1.
-
Gibson deflecting negativity of hockey moment at World Juniors
Fans have been critical about Team Canada's failure to make it past the quarter-finals at the World Juniors for a second straight year.
Northern Ontario
-
Justin Trudeau to step down as PM following Liberal leadership race
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is stepping down as Liberal leader, and is proroguing Parliament as the Liberal Party of Canada embarks on the journey to replace him.
-
Two Greater Sudbury drivers charged in racing incident on Hwy. 69
Ontario Provincial Police stopped to vehicles travelling more than double the speed limit on Highway 69 south of Greater Sudbury, early Friday morning.
-
Province boosts Sudbury's annual funding by $2.7M
The City of Greater Sudbury is one of more than 300 municipalities receiving an increase to their annual provincial funding this year.
Sault Ste. Marie
-
Northwestern OPP share winter road safety tips
Police in northwestern Ontario are sharing tips to remain safe on the roads during cold winter weather.
-
Northwestern Ont. police seek help with historic robbery investigation
The Kenora Ontario Provincial Police detachment is requesting the public's assistance in identifying a suspect in a previously reported robbery.
-
Sault woman charged with assault, criminal harassment
A Sault Ste. Marie woman was arrested Friday following an earlier morning disturbance.
Ottawa
-
Ottawa mayor says prorogation of parliament gives city time to work with MPs on transit funding request
Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe says he remains optimistic that the City of Ottawa will eventually get the transit funding it has requested from the federal government, despite Monday's announcement by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that Parliament has been prorogued and that he intends to step aside as Liberal leader and prime minister.
-
Ottawa's new north-south O-Train opens to the public
A large crowd gathered at Bayview Station just before 6 a.m. for a chance to be the first person to ride on the new north-south Line 2 Monday morning. The new north-south Line 2 and Line 4 runs from Bayview Station to Riverside South, with a link to the Ottawa International Airport.
-
Justin Trudeau to step down as PM following Liberal leadership race
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is stepping down as Liberal leader, and is proroguing Parliament as the Liberal Party of Canada embarks on the journey to replace him.
Toronto
-
Canada could see a wave of mortgage renewals in 2025. Here is how some homeowners plan to navigate the payment shock.
At least 1.2 million Canadians are facing a mortgage renewal in 2025, and 85 per cent of those existing home loans were contracted when the Bank of Canada’s interest rate was at or below one per cent. Here's how some homeowners are planning to navigate the increased payments.
-
Doug Ford snaps back at Donald Trump's Canada taunts with offer to 'buy Alaska'
Ontario Premier Doug Ford has snapped back at Donald Trump’s frequent taunts about treating Canada as a U.S. state with a counterproposal: buying Alaska.
-
Toronto police officer injured in pursuit of robbery suspects in North York
A Toronto police officer sustained a minor injury to his lower leg during the pursuit of several robbery suspects in North York late Monday afternoon.
Montreal
-
'It was the right decision': Quebec politicians, residents react to Trudeau resignation
Elected officials in Quebec were quick to react to the major announcement in Ottawa Monday about Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the path forward for the federal Liberal Party.
-
Health authorities advise caution as flu season intensifies
Quebec's Health and Social Service Ministry says the influenza season is intensifying while cases of the common cold are stabilizing. However, the situation could change rapidly as students gradually return to school this week.
-
After watching brother Cole win gold, Lane Hutson puts on show for Canadiens
Lane Hutson landed in Montreal after a long Canadiens road trip Sunday afternoon and jumped in a car to Ottawa, hoping to watch his younger brother, Cole, win world junior gold.
Atlantic
-
Names of double homicide victims in Chipman, N.B., released by police
Police in New Brunswick have released the names of two people who were killed in Chipman, N.B., late last year.
-
Maritime premiers, residents weigh-in on Trudeau resignation
Maritime leaders and residents react after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau resigned as leader of the Liberal Party on Monday.
-
Suspicious death in Bible Hill under investigation: N.S. RCMP
The Nova Scotia RCMP is investigating a suspicious sudden death in Bible Hill, N.S.
Winnipeg
-
'Different life to the party': Manitoba weighs in on Trudeau’s resignation
Manitobans are reacting to Justin Trudeau’s resignation as Liberal leader and his decision to prorogue to Parliament until March to allow for a leadership race.
-
Injunction extended against protesters in Lemay Forest
A court-ordered injunction against a group protesting the clearing of a Winnipeg forest will remain in place.
-
Man charged with voyeurism at Winnipeg fitness facility
A 26-year-old man has been charged with voyeurism after he allegedly snapped photos of a child undressing in a change room at a Winnipeg fitness facility.
Calgary
-
Justin Trudeau to step down as PM following Liberal leadership race
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is stepping down as Liberal leader, and is proroguing Parliament as the Liberal Party of Canada embarks on the journey to replace him.
-
Calgary's lone Liberal MP thanks Trudeau, but says it was time for him to go
Justin Trudeau's announcement on Monday that he intends to resign as prime minister and Liberal leader was needed "to move our country forward," says Calgary's only Liberal MP.
-
Alberta government signs new oil and gas agreement with Enbridge
The Alberta government has signed an agreement with Enbridge that Premier Danielle Smith says will increase exports of the province's heavy oil to the United States.
Edmonton
-
Alberta faces potential short-term gain, long-term pain after Trudeau quits as prime minister
Justin Trudeau's resignation as Canada's prime minister and leader of the Liberal party should benefit the province in the short term, but long-term, the importance of free trade should be central to any Albertan or Canadian effort to sway U.S. opinion with the spectre of potentially crushing tariffs looming, pundits say.
-
'We're in an epidemic': Deaths of two women in alleged domestic abuse cases raising red flags
Advocates for domestic abuse survivors say the deaths of an Edmonton woman and a Calgary mother and her father over the holidays shows domestic abuse is an “epidemic.”
-
Alberta Energy Regulator lacks evidence for tailings spill cleanup claims: ecologist's study
A new analysis of a decade's worth of data kept by Alberta's oil and gas regulator suggests the agency has made unsubstantiated claims about the success of oilsands tailings spills cleanup.
Regina
-
Trudeau's resignation could lead to changes for Sask/Ottawa relationship
Premier Scott Moe and the Saskatchewan Party will be losing its most prominent "opponent" in the coming months – with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announcing he intends to step down pending a leadership race.
-
Sask. RCMP make arrest in suspicious death on Piapot First Nation
Saskatchewan RCMP have arrested and charged Robin Kaiswatum, 40, with second degree murder in connection to a death on Piapot First Nation.
-
Saskatchewan politicians react to Trudeau's resignation announcement
Following Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's resignation announcement on Monday, reaction from politicians around the world quickly began to circulate, including in Saskatchewan.
Saskatoon
-
Judge condemns murder trial delay, asks lawyers to 'turn around' and look at the public 'we serve'
A Saskatoon murder trial opened on Monday with the judge sharply criticizing the time it’s taken to get to trial.
-
These 90-year-old identical twins were born in a Saskatchewan barn, but grew to love the city
Rose Worona and Anne Skwarchuk were born in 1935 on a farm near Hafford. Now, they’re celebrating their 90th birthday together.
-
Province calling for prospective builders on new Sask. Polytech campus in Saskatoon
The province is putting out the call to prospective builders for a major project on the new Saskatchewan Polytechnic campus planned in Saskatoon.
Vancouver
-
B.C. politicians front and centre: Singh, Clark, others on federal stage
As the fallout from Justin Trudeau’s much-anticipated resignation announcement reverberates across Canada, at least two British Columbians will feature prominently in national politics in the coming weeks and months.
-
Hidden in plain sight: Human trafficking and the B.C. connection
You may not see it or even know it’s happening in your community. But it is an evil shrouded in the dark shadows of society, and even experts do not know its full scope.
-
January blues? B.C. Doctor shares winter mental health tips
A Lower Mainland family physician who specializes in mental health says January can be a challenging time, as people transition out of the busy holiday season and re-establish their routines.
Vancouver Island
-
B.C. politicians front and centre: Singh, Clark, others on federal stage
As the fallout from Justin Trudeau’s much-anticipated resignation announcement reverberates across Canada, at least two British Columbians will feature prominently in national politics in the coming weeks and months.
-
CBSA says it acted in 'good faith' detaining solar panels in forced labour probe
The Canada Border Services Agency says it acted lawfully and in "good faith" when it detained nearly 50 containers of solar panels belonging to a Victoria, B.C., company over concerns they were made using forced labour.
-
Victoria police cleared of wrongdoing in crash that killed 24-year-old taxi driver
British Columbia's police oversight agency has cleared Victoria police officers of wrongdoing after an attempted traffic stop on a city street led to the death of an innocent man last year.
