The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit’s Medical Officer is defending his decision to advise the region be moved back into lockdown.
Dr. Charles Gardner posted a video on Facebook Sunday (posted below), saying he’s received hundreds of emails from the community expressing anger at his recommendation and he felt the need to explain why he made it.
Gardner says there are many reasons why Simcoe Muskoka is being moved into the Grey zone, including the fact we are experiencing a surge in cases of the B1.1.7 (the UK) variant of COVID-19.
He says we have the largest number of UK variant cases in the province, adding there has been a jump in the number of cases this week; 30 per cent compared to the week before and now 60 per cent of cases overall have tested positive for the UK variant or a variant of concern, awaiting confirmatory testing.
Gardner explains this version of lockdown is not as restrictive as before, with most retail stores being allowed to stay open with 25 per cent capacity and ski hills remaining in operation.
However, personal care services, rec centres and fitness facilities have been ordered to shut down.
Barrie Mayor Jeff Lehman, Bracebridge Mayor Graydon Smith and Collingwood Mayor Brian Saunderson are among those appealing to the provincial government to lift the lockdown, which will be in place for the next two weeks.
For more details on the decision to put Simcoe-Muskoka into the Grey-Lockdown Zone, please click here.
https://www.facebook.com/Simcoe.Muskoka/videos/265367308307877
At this time our COVID-19 vaccination clinics are NOT for the general public. Only those who are eligible and have an appointment will be allowed to access the clinic-others will be turned away. https://t.co/3BkEUwvdMf pic.twitter.com/UBCX4nTYJj
— SMDHU (@SMDhealthunit) February 28, 2021
The reason Simcoe Muskoka is moved into Grey / Lockdown is that we are experiencing a surge in cases of the B1.1.7 (the UK) variant of COVID-19. We have the largest number of UK variant cases in the province. https://t.co/6pH7B7y2JG
— SMDHU (@SMDhealthunit) February 28, 2021