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Barrie teen confirmed to have contracted COVID-19

The number of overall cases in Simcoe-Muskoka has increased by five since yesterday
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Dr. Charles Gardner presents a daily media update on COVID-19 cases in Simcoe-Muskoka on March 31.

There are now 55 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Simcoe County and Muskoka, including one case in a local teenager.

Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit confirmed today they have received notice of a positive case in a girl in her teens from Barrie. The case is believed to be related to close contact to another case. She has been sent home to self-isolate.

Other cases reported since yesterday include a female in her 60s from Wasaga Beach (the first confirmed positive for the town), another Barrie case in a man in his 50s, and Innisfil’s first lab-confirmed case in a man in his 40s.

The local health unit has confirmed cases in Collingwood (1), Barrie (10), Orillia (7), Springwater (2), Clearview (2), New Tecumseth (6), Adjala-Tosorontio (1), Bradford West Gwillimbury (6), Essa (2), Innisfil (1), Wasaga Beach (1) Midland (2), Oro-Medonte (2), Tiny (1), Ramara (1), Gravenhurst (3) and Huntsville (3). The remaining four cases are still under investigation.

Two men, both in their 70s and who had pre-existing medical conditions, have died recently in Barrie from the virus at Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre (RVH). One of the men was visiting from Alberta. Hospital officials later confirmed the two men were related.

Testing remains limited to health-care workers, those in remote communities with limited access to health care, those with severe symptoms, or those who have travelled and are showing symptoms.

Such prioritization is important to make sure those at-risk get tested, but the health unit’s medical officer of health, Dr. Charles Gardner, said there’s also a downside to restrictions on who can get tested.

“We’re not seeing as many of the community-acquired cases as we should be,” said Gardner, noting those without a known travel history or contact with a known COVID-19 case are only tested if their symptoms are severe. “There’s a risk the public might not take it seriously.”

But it is serious, said the doctor.

“People need to be protecting themselves and others with physical distancing,” said Gardner. “We all need to be aware that you don’t know what else is out there. For every case we know, there are many others we don’t.”

Gardner followed the province’s lead and recommended anyone over 70 years old go into self-isolation. He also said anyone who is feeling ill should take it seriously and self-isolate for 14 days or until the symptoms go away, whichever is longer.


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Erika Engel

About the Author: Erika Engel

Erika regularly covers all things news in Collingwood as a reporter and editor. She has 15 years of experience as a local journalist
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