Gardner on COVID pandemic: ‘We have lost a great deal of quality of life’
The health unit reports 44 hospitalizations and 10 patients in the ICU
Dr. Charles Gardner, medical officer of health for the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit (SMDHU), says he, like many Canadians, has been feeling the strain of living in the pandemic.
During a Wednesday media briefing, Gardner was asked what his thoughts were on the protests across the country over COVID mandates, and the reality of living with the virus going forward.
“I would like to live a freer life just like everybody else would,” said Gardner.
“We have lost a great deal of quality of life. Many of us have lost a great deal of our livelihoods. And sadly, many have lost their lives, or had their health heavily impacted by the pandemic.”
The SMDHU medical officer said going forward and living with the virus will be a complex matter, and there is potential for the emergence and development of more variants.
He stated that being careful and mindful is important as the population adapts and changes in the face of the pandemic.
Gardner said transmission, infection and death are still serious outcomes from the virus. He reiterated that Simcoe Muskoka is having its highest rate of death than at any point in the pandemic, and tentative steps are needed going forward.
The medical officer said there were 27 deaths over the past week, 18 men and nine women – 14 associated with outbreaks. Three of the deceased were from Muskoka and 24 from Simcoe County. The ages of those who passed ranged from 30s to 100 plus.
SMDHU has reported 44 hospitalizations, down from 61 a week ago, and 10 people in the ICU.
When discussing patients in hospitals, Gardner said 34 are from Simcoe County, eight are from Muskoka, and two are of unknown origin.
He said six are associated with institutional outbreaks while 38 are sporadic cases from the community.
Gardner said there have been 87 deaths in 2022, with 54 per cent being associated with outbreaks.
The medical officer said the number of cases in Simcoe Muskoka during this fifth wave has almost surpassed all other waves combined.
Banner image – file photo – Barrie 360