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Health Unit reports number of COVID cases down but potential for rebound

February 17, 2022   ·   0 Comments

The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit said it is unable to provide accurate numbers when reporting on the number of COVID-19 case in the region due to changes in the way testing is being done.

The sheer volume of cases is also causing problems with simple tasks like keeping up with data entry.

However, known numbers were reported during a February 9 press conference. 

As of February 9, there have been 33,078 cases of COVID reported in Simcoe Muskoka.

“We are noting that the number of cases we’ve had in the fifth wave is almost as many as all the other waves combined to date,” reported Dr. Charles Gardner, Medical Officer of Health. “It’s quite possible as the fifth wave continues it will exceed the number of cases we’ve had in all the previous waves combined. We’ve had 88 deaths so far in the fifth wave – over the past nine weeks.”

Of the new cases during the week, 27 per cent were not vaccinated with 69 per cent had two or more doses of the vaccine. Of those vaccinated, 29 per cent had received the third booster dose.

There has been a reduction in persons hospitalized, but an increase in deaths during the fifth wave.

The good news is there has been a 31 per cent reduction in the case count over the week prior to February 9. The Province also experienced a reduction in cases during the same time frame.

Of the cases reported in the region, ten per cent were in children under the age of 12.

“It is very important for everybody, including those that are vaccinated to continue to follow all the protective measures – the multiple layered approach to protection,” Dr. Gardner said. “[Including] mask use in indoor public spaces, work places, outdoors if in close proximity to other people, good quality masks, physical distancing, hand washing, and self-monitoring and isolation if you develop symptoms. Obtain a test if you can and seek medical attention for severe symptoms.”

A total of 378 deaths have occurred from COVID in the region since the start of the pandemic.

When it comes to younger residents, 49 per cent of children ages five to 11 in the region have received their first dose of the vaccine.

“We are concerned about the potential for a rebound in transmission for the Omicron wave given the science tables projections,” Dr. Gardner said.

By Brian Lockhart
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

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