BARRIE, ONT. The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit (SMDHU) reported 44 new COVID-19 cases Tuesday, and one new virus-related death, bringing the region s death toll to 56. Dr. Charles Gardner, SMDHU medical officer of health, said the latest victim is a man between 35 and 44 who died at the Muskoka Algonquin Health Centre. His death marks the third virus-related passing in the region in the last week. On Monday, a man in his 80s died at Stevenson Memorial Hospital in Alliston and on Thursday, a woman, 65 to 79, died at Georgian Bay General Hospital in Midland. According to Gardner, 13 people are in the hospital with the virus, all in Simcoe County, five of whom are in the intensive care unit.
ALLISTON, ONT. Stevenson Memorial Hospital uses a monitor to detect reduced lung function like that seen in patients suffering from COVID-19. Emergency physician Dr. Oswaldo Ramirez has seen firsthand why patients diagnosed with the virus need rapid assessment. The Alliston hospital uses the respiratory monitoring device as a game-changer for triaging COVID patients. The device basically gives us a snapshot of lung function on a breath sample, Ramirez says. It was developed in California and tested at the University of British Columbia. The monitor was initially meant to assess patients suffering from pneumonia and COPD, but its purpose expanded when the pandemic hit.