The North Bay Parry Sound District broke through a big COVID milestone today, adding seven cases to bring the total to 1,002 since the pandemic began in the spring of 2020.
There have been eight deaths and 946 resolved. Noone is presently hospitalized.
There are presently 48 active cases in the district, 27 in Nipissing and 21 in Parry Sound District.
The good news is that 89 per cent of those 12+ have received at least one dose, and 85 per cent are fully vaccinated.
Public Health Ontario is reporting 3,124 new COVID cases today.
Meanwhile, Ontario is strengthening public health measures and putting in gathering limits ahead of Christmas.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford said this afternoon that it's to slow the highly transmissible variant Omicron to allow more times for shots to get into arms. The new measures take effect Sunday, Dec. 19.
Capacity limits at indoor public settings are being reduced such as restaurants, bars, gyms, pharmacies, grocery stores, shopping malls and personal care services.
Food and drink service is being prohibited in specific settings such as sporting events, concerts, theatres, cinemas, bingo halls and other gaming establishments.
The number of people who can sit together at restaurants or meeting and event spaces is limited to 10 per table. People are also required to remain seated at restaurants, concerts, theatres and cinemas.
Dancing and singing are prohibited except for workers or performers.
Restaurants and other places that serve food must close at 11 p.m., except for takeout and delivery. Alcohol cannot be served after 10 p.m.
For informal social gatherings, there's a limit of 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors.
“Today’s announcement is welcome news and I applaud Premier Doug Ford and the provincial government for making what I know is a very difficult but essential decision that prioritizes the health of people and protects our already over-burdened health care and public health resources,” said Dr. Charles Gardner, Simcoe Muskoka’s medical officer of health.
“Based on the local rate of transmission of the Omicron variant and modelling from the Ontario COVID-19 Science Advisory Table, we know that we are facing what has the potential to be a dire situation and that further restrictions are necessary to stem this tide. I acknowledge that this is not the news that residents and businesses want to hear, especially during this holiday season. But I’m confident if we all follow these restrictions, get vaccinated and follow the standard public health measures we can manage this crisis.”
With files from Maija Hoggett.
