BARRIE, ONT. The Simcoe Muskoka health unit reports 57 new COVID-19 cases Thursday and four more deaths among seniors. The health unit says the deaths are associated with a devastating outbreak at a Barrie long-term care home. According to the health unit, eight senior s homes are dealing with COVID-19 outbreaks, including Roberta Place in Barrie. The long-term care facility s raging outbreak has claimed 49 lives and infected 127 residents and 96 staff members. The other outbreaks include Grove Park Home and IOOF in Barrie, Trillium Manor in Orillia, The Pines Long Term Care Residence in Bracebridge, Muskoka Shores Care Community in Gravenhurst, Kingsmere Retirement Living in Alliston, and Bradford Valley Care Community.
After almost a year of death and isolation, everyone could use a bit of hope.
Retired Gen. Rick Hillier, who’s in charge of distributing Ontario’s COVID-19 vaccines, said he’s clinging to stories of people receiving their shots.
“This is the only light in the COVID-19 tragedy right now,” he told reporters at Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s press conference Tuesday.
Last week, he said, a woman in her 90s had her entire extended family on Zoom to watch her get her first vaccine dose.
“We all draw upon those inspirational moments every time we get tired,” Hillier said.
There was relief and rolled-up sleeves at local long-term care homes Saturday as residents and staff received their first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine