35 new coronavirus cases reported in Simcoe Muskoka, local total surpasses 300

The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit reported 35 new cases of the novel coronavirus on Monday, bringing the total number of local cases to 318, including 20 deaths.

There are currently outbreaks at four long-term care facilities, three retirement residences and an unidentified group home in the region.

In Barrie, Ont., there have been five reported outbreaks — at Owen Hill Care Community, Chartwell Whispering Pines Retirement Residence, the Woods Park Care Centre, Allandale Station Retirement Residence and IOOF Odd Fellow and Rebekah Home.

There have also been outbreaks at Bradford Valley Care Community in Bradford, Ont., and at Bayview Retirement Home in Waubaushene, Ont.

“People need to be aware that there is still community transmission happening,” Dr. Charles Gardner, the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit’s medical officer of health, said at a tele-press conference Monday.

“There is still asymptomatic cases that can lead to transmission to others.”

According to Gardner, the COVID-19 curve has flattened in Simcoe Muskoka, although it’s still continuing.

“It’s certainly not over yet,” he said. “I would say that if we’re declining, it’s at the beginning of that.”

Gardner reiterated that people should stay at their primary residences and not go to their secondary homes.

“This is particularly pertinent to us in Simcoe Muskoka because we are prime cottage country,” Gardner said.

“People come here from southern Ontario because it’s a beautiful area and it’s accessible, and normally that’s a very good thing, but this is a pandemic here…We are concerned that having a large influx of people from out of jurisdiction could increase transmission in our district.”

Of Simcoe Muskoka’s total cases, 52 are outbreak-related, while 166 people have recovered and eight are hospitalized.

Seventy-six acquired COVID-19 through close contact with another positive case, while 107 cases have been community-acquired and 54 have been travel-related.

The source of infection for the remainder of cases has been labelled as “undetermined” or “under investigation.”

On Monday, Ontario reported 370 new coronavirus cases, bringing the provincial total 17,923, including 1,300 deaths.

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