BARRIE, ONT. Simcoe Muskoka added 49 new COVID-19 cases Wednesday, for a total of 232 so far this week. The region also had another virus-related death reported by Georgian Bay General Hospital. The Midland facility is battling an outbreak of the virus that has infected 26 staff members and 23 patients. Simcoe Muskoka s health unit lists 614 active cases across the region, including 22 hospitalizations. The health unit says about half of all positive cases in December were close contacts with an infected person, while about 20 per cent were community-acquired with no known source. The region s top doc, Dr. Charles Gardner, has said contact tracing has been challenging as more people venture out of the home.
BARRIE, ONT. The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit (SMDHU) reported 44 new COVID-19 cases Tuesday, and one new virus-related death, bringing the region s death toll to 56. Dr. Charles Gardner, SMDHU medical officer of health, said the latest victim is a man between 35 and 44 who died at the Muskoka Algonquin Health Centre. His death marks the third virus-related passing in the region in the last week. On Monday, a man in his 80s died at Stevenson Memorial Hospital in Alliston and on Thursday, a woman, 65 to 79, died at Georgian Bay General Hospital in Midland. According to Gardner, 13 people are in the hospital with the virus, all in Simcoe County, five of whom are in the intensive care unit.