The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit has reported three deaths and 14 new hospitalizations in its latest report (Jan. 20).
Two men over 79 years old from Muskoka District, and a woman over 79 years old from Simcoe County died after contracting COVID in an outbreak. The woman died on Jan. 18 and the two men died on Jan. 19.
Since July, the deaths reported by the health unit include 37 people who were unvaccinated and 18 who were fully vaccinated. Fewer than five of the deaths during that time were partially vaccinated individual
There are approximately 42 Simcoe-Muskoka residents hospitalized for COVID-19, this only includes the residents whose primary reason for admission is COVID-related illness. Five of the hospitalized patients are being treated in intensive care units.
Area hospitals may also accept patients from outside of the region.
Occupied capacity for Simcoe-Muskoka hospitals is at 82.5 per cent for intensive care unit (ICU) beds, 55 per cent for ventilator beds, and 92 per cent for acute care beds.
While provincial testing guidelines prioritize testing for people living and working in high-risk congregate care settings and hospitalized patients, and test results are delayed by several days, the health unit is reporting 245 new cases today.
Among the cases reported today are 48 unvaccinated people, six partially vaccinated people, and 141 fully vaccinated people.
The health unit is reporting cases within the region, but is not providing further breakdowns on the primary residence municipality of the people who test positive.
About 39 per cent of the total population of Simcoe-Muskoka region (including children too young to get the vaccine) now has three doses of a COVID-19 vaccine, 37 per cent has two doses, five per cent has one dose, and 19 per cent have no doses of a COVID vaccine.
Since July 18, 2021, COVID hospitalizations in the region have included 167 unvaccinated people, 13 partially vaccinated people and 77 fully vaccinated people.
In the same time frame, COVID-related ICU admissions have included 44 unvaccinated people and 11 fully vaccinated people.
Since July, the deaths reported by the health unit include 37 people who were unvaccinated and 18 who were fully vaccinated. Fewer than five of the deaths during that time were partially vaccinated individuals.
According to the health unit, those who are unvaccinated are 11 times more likely to be hospitalized from COVId, 19 times more likely to be admitted to the ICU and seven times more likely to die from a COVID infection compared to those who are fully vaccinated with two or more doses.
Since the start of the pandemic, the local health unit has confirmed 29,485 cases of COVID-19 with 20,338 of those cases recovered and 311 cases ending in death.
There are 91 active outbreaks in Simcoe-Muskoka, including 45 in institutional settings (hospitals, long-term care, retirement homes), 34 in congregate settings (group homes, shelters), and 12 at child care centres.
Twenty outbreaks have shown early signs (genetic marker) for the Omicron strain and at least one outbreak was caused by the Delta strain. The COVID strain for the other outbreaks is unknown at this time.
