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Simcoe-Muskoka lockdown lifted into Red Zone

February 18, 2021   ·   0 Comments

Simcoe-Muskoka is back into the Red (Control) zone of the Province’s re-opening plan after lockdown was lifted just after midnight on Tuesday.

The region was one of 27 jurisdictions that returned to Ontario’s COVID-19 response framework after the Province-wide shutdown was enacted Boxing Day in response to a steep rise in new cases of the virus.

As of this week, Niagara Region Public Health has been lifted into the Grey (Lockdown) Zone and Simcoe-Muskoka was one of eleven public health units elevated to red. Nine communities are now in the Orange (Restrict) Zone, four in the Yellow (Protect) Zone, and two in Green (Prevent).

COVID-19 hotspots of York Region, Peel Region and the City of Toronto could return to the Framework by February 22, but the details of where these three public health units will land when the time comes was yet to be announced at press time.

“The health and safety of Ontarians remains our number one priority. While we are cautiously and gradually transitioning some regions out of shutdown, with the risk of new variants this is not a reopening or a return to normal,” said Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “Until vaccines are widely available, it remains critical that all individuals and families continue to adhere to public health measures and stay home as much as possible to protect themselves, their loved ones and their communities.”

As of Tuesday, February 16, New Tecumseth has seen a total of 767 cases of COVID-19, 684 of which are now marked as recovered. There have been 15 deaths. Between February 10 and February 16, there 20 new cases of the virus, 10 of which are attributed to close contact and community acquisition. 10 cases are currently under investigation.

By Brock Weir

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