The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit’s Medical Officer of Health says he isn’t sure that the provincial government’s reopening plans are a great idea.
Dr. Charles Gardner says it’s a big risk considering COVID-19 variants are now spreading in the community… and fast.
According to the health unit, 133 local cases have tested positive for the UK COVID-19 variant so far, while an additional 64 cases have screened positive and are awaiting secondary testing to confirm.
Dr. Gardner also said he does not know where Simcoe-Muskoka will end up when the province’s framework kicks in next week, but suggested we could be in the Orange or Red Zones.
In its latest update today, the SMDHU is reporting 36 new COVID-19 cases and no additional deaths related to the virus, for the first time in weeks.
For more details on COVID-19 cases in the region, please click here.
Unfortunately we don't know just yet what zone of the Ontario Framework #SimcoeMuskoka will be returning to come Tuesday February 16th. Dr. Gardner provided more information at his media briefing on February 9th, check out the clip. https://t.co/sMpEZZRE2I via @YouTube
— SMDHU (@SMDhealthunit) February 10, 2021
https://www.facebook.com/Simcoe.Muskoka/videos/167863078223760
Premier Doug Ford announced yesterday that three regions in Eastern Ontario will be allowed to reopen tomorrow (Wednesday), while almost all other areas of the province, including Simcoe County and Muskoka, can start reopening next Tuesday, February 16th.
Toronto, Peel and York will remain shutdown until at least February 22nd.
Friends, we are not clear of the storm yet. Hospital ICUs in some parts of the province are still under immense pressure and we need to ensure the sacrifices Ontarians have made aren’t wasted.
Please continue to stay at home. It is saving lives. pic.twitter.com/ZwzyYlbZ7N
— Doug Ford (@fordnation) February 9, 2021