Summer spike in COVID-19 cases across Simcoe Muskoka
Summer festivals, events and travel plans are getting into full swing, and so is a new wave of COVID-19, with weekly cases increasing by 46 per cent across Simcoe Muskoka.
The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit (SMDHU) says the more transmissible Omicron BA.5 subvariant is driving the increase in infections, largely tracked by wastewater data.
Recent samples from Midland and Orillia reveal higher levels than in May and early June.
"We've been in this for two and a half years. Unfortunately, the pandemic is continuing. The good news is that we aren't starting from square one," noted SMDHU associate medical officer of health Dr. Colin Lee.
More than half the total population in Simcoe Muskoka have yet to receive a third dose of the vaccine, prompting doctors to urge residents to roll up their sleeves.
"It does give you an increased protection against being infected, and if you are unlucky enough to be infected, it significantly decreases your chance of being hospitalized," said Lee.
Experts warn the spike in cases could result in a jump in hospitalizations, which worries health officials already dealing with staffing shortages.
"We have a lot of mitigation strategies to move staff around to try to keep as well-staffed as we can. We have some areas that are particularly challenging: the emergency department is one particular area that is challenging to meet demand, but we are making sure to keep it safe," said Dr. Jeff Tyberg, Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre's Chief of Staff.
To help ease the burden on hospitals and prepare for fall, doctors say 80 to 90 per cent of eligible residents need to get their third shot.
Meantime, experts recommend masking when in indoor public settings and staying home when sick.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Serial sexual offender linked to unsolved 1970s homicides of four Calgary girls, women
An investigation into unsolved historical homicides from the 1970s has linked the deaths of two girls and two young women in and around Calgary to a now-deceased serial offender.
Woman with liver failure rejected for a transplant after medical review highlights alcohol use
For nearly three months, Amanda Huska has been in an Ontario hospital, part of it on life support, because of severe liver failure. Her history of alcohol use is getting in the way of her only potential treatment: a liver transplant.
$500K-worth of elvers seized at Toronto airport
Fishery and border service officers seized more than 100 kilograms of unauthorized elvers at the Toronto Pearson International Airport on Wednesday.
Toronto eliminated from PWHL playoffs
Toronto has been eliminated from the PWHL playoffs.
Information commissioner faces $700K funding shortfall, says system is 'overwhelmed'
Canada's information commissioner says her office is facing a $700,000 funding shortfall that could impact its ability to investigate complaints about government transparency and accountability.
B.C. man 'attacked suddenly' by adult grizzly near Alberta boundary: RCMP
A B.C. man is recovering from multiple injuries after he was "attacked suddenly" by an adult grizzly bear near Elkford Thursday afternoon.
Backlash over NFL player Harrison Butker's commencement speech has reached a new level
The NFL is distancing itself from controversial comments by Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker during a recent commencement address.
Dabney Coleman, actor who specialized in curmudgeons, dies at 92
Dabney Coleman, the mustachioed character actor who specialized in smarmy villains like the chauvinist boss in '9 to 5' and the nasty TV director in 'Tootsie,' has died. He was 92.
Craig Berube named as next head coach of Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs have named Craig Berube as their new head coach.