Area experiencing steady increase of COVID-19
Following the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions and mask mandates and the arrival of a sixth wave driven by the more transmissible COVID-19 Omicron BA.2 variant, the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit (SMDHU) is seeing a steady increase of COVID-19 in the area as demonstrated by rising case counts, outbreaks, hospitalizations, and through wastewater analysis.
While an increase in COVID-19 infection was anticipated following the lifting of provincial preventive measures, the number of new COVID-19 cases reported to the health unit has sharply risen, with 1,282 cases reported for the week of April 3, 79 per cent higher than the 715 cases reported three weeks before (week of March 20). This trend is being seen across the province, with Simcoe Muskoka having a higher incidence rate (208 new cases/100,000 population) than the province (148/100,000 population) for the week of April 3.
“The number of cases, outbreaks and hospitalizations we are seeing in Simcoe Muskoka is very concerning,” said Dr. Charles Gardner, SMDHU’s medical officer of health. “The pandemic is not over and we cannot let our guard down. I want to emphasize once again… that it is still essential that people take precautions to protect themselves and those around them, particularly those who are most vulnerable. The most important way to do this is to get vaccinated and to stay up to date with all vaccinations you are eligible for, including booster doses. With provincial restrictions no longer in place I also continue to strongly recommend that everyone wear a mask in all indoor public spaces as a simple way to prevent the spread of the virus. It is up to each of us as individuals to help slow the spread of this sixth wave by taking these and other personal precautions I continue to strongly recommend.”
In addition to getting vaccinated and wearing a mask in indoor public settings, precautions include limiting your number of close contacts, physically distancing from people outside your household, ensuring good ventilation or spending time outdoors, practising proper hand hygiene, and staying home if you are feeling unwell. Taking these precautions will help stop transmission of the virus, reduce people’s risk of getting severe illness, and protect our healthcare resources that are currently under strain due to physician and hospital staff absenteeism from COVID-19 exposure and illness.
