With the Easter weekend approaching, the Medical Officer of Health for the Simcoe-Muskoka District Health Unit is warning residents to be cautious.
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, Dr Charles Gardner says there is a steady increase of COVID-19 in our 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, which is 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, as stated in my March23 Special Statement to the community, 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.”
He says a mask mandate would definitely help reduce community transmission.
However, Gardner is hesitant to reinstate one, due to public fatigue from the pandemic.
Gardner said taking these precautions will help stop transmission of the virus, reduce people’s risk of getting severe illness, and protect our health-care resources that are currently under strain.
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, practicing proper hand hygiene, and staying home if you are feeling unwell.
While this is a time of year when people commonly gather to observe and celebrate holidays, it is important to remember that knowing someone does not reduce the risk of transmitting COVID-19. Virtual gatherings or events are still the safest way to celebrate and if you opt to host or attend a gathering or event, remember that outdoor gatherings are safer than those held indoors.
When hosting or attending an event indoors, you can decrease your risk by limiting the number of guests, keeping windows open to improve ventilation, physically distancing and wearing a face covering when with people who are not part of your household.
To learn more about local COVID-19 cases and where to get a vaccination, please click here.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=43S7i56rA4g
This is our first update since Fri.
COVID-19 summary for #SimcoeMuskoka on April 11, 2022, which sadly, includes 2 deaths.
👉over 300 boosters administered (12+)
👉# of cases are an underestimate
👉% of 1st & 2nd doses is now reflective of 5+ (vs 12+)https://t.co/iY5xofgf1Z pic.twitter.com/ATB9KKvkx1— SMDHU (@SMDhealthunit) April 11, 2022