Today, Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit declared a COVID-19 outbreak at Spencer House in Orillia over, but another outbreak at Bradford Valley has claimed the life of a resident.
Dr. Charles Gardner, medical officer of health for the region, announced today there were three more deaths related to COVID-19, two in Simcoe County and one in Muskoka.
A man in his 90s died on Saturday at Bradford Valley long term care facility. He was one of 20 residents and four staff members at the facility confirmed positive with the virus.
“This is a landmark event for us,” said Gardner noting this is the first death in a long-term care patient.
He offered his condolences to the family.
At Spencer House, one staff member tested positive for the virus, but there were no other cases confirmed in staff or residents at the facility.
An Oro-Medonte man also died this weekend at Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital. He was in his 70s and was first reported as a local COVID-19 case on March 30. The source of transmission for his case is still reported as “under investigation.”
The third death reported today was a Muskoka Lakes man in his 80s. Gardner said he was hospitalized in Muskoka, and he owned a home both in Muskoka and elsewhere.
The health unit received reports of 29 new cases since Thursday, bringing the total to 141 cases confirmed in Simcoe County and Muskoka.
There are now seven cases confirmed in Collingwood residents, two of whom are reported recovered.
This increase is the highest daily totals the health unit has seen to date with 14 and 15 new cases reported for Friday and Saturday.
“This is the point in which we’re seeing a rise in cases,” said Gardner. “We’re seeing community transmission becoming more and more of an issue.”
Of the health units reported 141 cases, 38 are listed as community-acquired, 20 are from Bradford Valley long-term care facility and another 30 are related to close contact of other cases. There are 45 travel-related cases.
“We have anticipated seeing a rise in April,” said Gardner.
He reminded residents of the region to be diligent in their efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19 through physical distancing, frequent handwashing, and only going out occasionally and when it is absolutely necessary.
“I recommend people stay with their household members when it comes to close associations,” said Gardner. “Not visiting other households, not having other households visiting you. This is the time we need to hunker down to flatten the curve.”
Previously, the health unit had double-listed two cases in the region, but have since discovered the error and corrected the website. There were 29 cases added to the site today, representing all the confirmed cases reported since Thursday.
The case breakdown for towns and cities in the region is as follows: Collingwood (7), Barrie (28), Orillia (10), Springwater (4), Clearview (2), New Tecumseth (17), Adjala-Tosorontio (2), Bradford West Gwillimbury (36), Essa (2), Innisfil (5), Wasaga Beach (4) Midland (4), Penetanguishene (1), Oro-Medonte (3), Tiny (2), Ramara (2), Gravenhurst (5), Muskoka Lakes (2), Lake of Bays (1) and Huntsville (4).
There are now 54 reported recoveries, 47 people self-isolating, 19 isolated at Bradford Valley, 11 people hospitalized, and eight deaths linked to COVID-19.
