With October only halfway done, Simcoe-Muskoka just broke its monthly COVID-19 case record, health unit says

We’re likely in for a long and sickly month.

The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit reported an additional 14 confirmed COVID-19 cases Oct. 16, bringing the monthly total to 228 so far. That eclipses the Simcoe-Muskoka region’s previous record of 221 set in April.

“More than one-quarter of the cases reported so far in October are associated with a long-term-care home outbreak in New Tecumseth,” the health unit said in a statement on its website. “There have already been more cases reported in October than any other month since the start of the pandemic.”

That outbreak, at the County of Simcoe’s Simcoe Manor in Beeton, has claimed a sixth victim — a man in his 80s — the health unit says.

Of today’s incidents, six are in Barrie. Innisfil (three) and Bradford, Muskoka Lakes, New Tecumseth, Oro-Medonte and Orillia (one each) also had cases.

The age demographics ranged from the 18-34 to 80-plus categories.

But the source of infection ranged. The Muskoka Lakes case was linked to a school outbreak that is outside the health unit’s jurisdiction. An Orillia woman contracted the virus during travel. And one more Simcoe Manor resident, a woman over 80 years old, is listed today.

The county says the Simcoe Manor case count sits at 38 residents and 22 staff.

Today’s other reported cases are either still under investigation or attributed to close contact.

Since the start of the pandemic, there have been 1,121 confirmed cases in the region — though 954 successfully recovered.

There are 118 active known incidents, including five hospitalizations.

A total of 44 people have died, including 30 at long-term-care and retirement facilities.

There are two ongoing outbreaks at long-term-care sites — Bradford Valley Care Community (two staff infected) and Simcoe Manor.

Also Friday, the Simcoe County District School Board confirmed a COVID-19 case is connected to Tecumseth Beeton Public School. No classrooms are closed and the school is open.

For more on the local effect of COVID-19, visit .