Public Health Ontario reported 390 new cases of COVID-19 today, as well as 43 more deaths and 292 new recoveries.
After three positive test results in women who are residents at Collingwood Nursing Home, an outbreak was declared at the facility. At the time, all three women (one in her 80s, one in her 90s and one in her 100s) were not showing symptoms of COVID-19. Since then, Dr. Charles Gardner said one is now showing respiratory symptoms.
There have been no further positive test results reported in staff or residents at the Collingwood Nursing Home.
The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit reported two new cases out of Wasaga Beach today – a man and a woman, both in their 50s. His case is listed as under investigation and her case is attributed to community transmission. There have now been 13 cases confirmed in Wasaga Beach with 10 reported recoveries and one death, a man in his 70s.
There have been a total of 16 cases confirmed in Collingwood residents, and 11 of those people are now reported recovered. There have also been seven cases reported in Clearview residents including six recoveries and one death.
Grey Bruce Health Unit has reported five cases in residents from The Blue Mountains.
The Town of Collingwood has announced it will not be operating its sailing school recreation programming in 2020 due to COVID-19 limitations. According to a notice posted to the town's website, staff considered space required for physical distancing and the need for extra sanitizing, as well as a lack of qualified instructors at this time and the restrictions in place from Ontario Sailing as factors for the decision to cancel.
Yesterday, Dr. Charles Gardner, medical officer of health for Simcoe-Muskoka region said the universal testing of all long-term care residents and staff is now complete.
He noted the health unit will not conduct further universal testing in other congregate settings such as retirement homes or group homes unless it is mandated by the province, or unless there is evidence of an outbreak.
The doctor observed the demand for testing is down province-wide and said it might be time to consider a change to the way the province and local health units are operating testing.
"I’m sure our approach is going to change over time, because things don’t stay the same forever. We put together those assessment centres in a rush … now is the time to revise what we do to make it optimal," he said.
Home sales are down by about 60 per cent in the Southern Georgian Bay region for the month of April, but year-to-date they are closer to 2019 numbers.
Today’s essential workers of the day are the staff at Scotiabank in Collingwood.
CollingwoodToday would like your help in recognizing local essential workers from health care workers, physicians, cashiers and delivery drivers. If you'd like to say thanks to someone you know, please send a photo, their name, their job title, and your words of thanks to [email protected]. Please only send photos and information with permission.
