BARRIE, ONT. In the midst of what health officials call the third wave of COVID-19, hospitals report some of the highest numbers of ICU patients since the second wave s peak. In Orillia, there is one COVID-positive patient being treated, yet seven of Soldiers Memorial Hospital s eight ICU beds are in use. The hospital s chief of staff says the more contagious variants have the potential to overwhelm the system. It is going to be worse in the sense of the virus being more easily transmitted, causing more serious illness and affecting a younger age group in the population, Dr. Nancy Merrow says.
BARRIE, ONT. Simcoe Muskoka has now lost 200 residents to COVID-19. The health unit listed two more Simcoe County residents, a man and woman, both over 65, who have died with complications from the virus. As the region s death toll rises, so do daily case counts. The Simcoe Muskoka health unit reports a jump in the number of single-day infections Thursday. There are 75 new COVID-19 cases, with 22 in Barrie, 17 in Bradford West Gwillimbury and 10 in New Tecumseth. The remaining cases are in Collingwood, Innisfil, Essa and Midland. Wasaga Beach, Orillia, Springwater, Muskoka Lakes, Gravenhurst and Adjala-Tosorontio each had a single case. One location is pending.
BARRIE, ONT. The Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board (SMCDSB) requested students and staff bring their belongings home for the Easter long weekend after news the province will go into a 28-day lockdown starting Saturday at 12:01 am. While the school board says it hasn t received any indication from the Ontario government that schools will be shuttered, it is taking action out of an abundance of preparation and precaution. In a letter sent to families on Wednesday evening, the board said, There is a lot of speculation and rumour surrounding the province s plans regarding another lockdown and potential of school closures across the province. The Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board has not received any information from the Ministry of Education or public health regarding school closures.
BARRIE, ONT. Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre (RVH) is dealing with another COVID-19 outbreak after three patients tested positive for the virus. The Barrie hospital confirmed an active outbreak in its Cardiac Renal Inpatient unit Thursday. In a release, the hospital said all other patients tested negative and will be retested later this week. Each patient is in isolation and being closely monitored for symptoms. The hospital provided the health unit with a contact list of recently discharged patients and visitors who will be instructed to isolate. The Cardiac Renal Inpatient unit is currently closed to admissions and transfers as a result of the outbreak. Visitors are not permitted at this time.