Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit is now reporting 29 lab-confirmed cases in the region, with confirmed cases in Collingwood, Barrie, Orillia, Springwater, Clearview, New Tecumseth, Bradford, Essa, and Huntsville.
There remains one confirmed case in Collingwood.
There are now three deaths in the region, including one Orillia woman who died yesterday at Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital. The woman, in her 70s, contracted the virus through community transmission.
The province of Ontario announced 170 new lab-confirmed cases of COVID-19 today, and 13 deaths attributed to the virus.
The Town of Collingwood has set up a new forum on its website dedicated to COVID-19 questions, suggestions, stories, and shout-outs. You will be required to sign up for an account on the town’s website to post anything in the forum.
Yesterday afternoon Collingwood council voted to set aside $2.5 million from the town’s asset sale (airport and COLLUS) proceeds to be used for relief measures during the pandemic.
While most of the relief measures have yet to be determined and will be approved by council in the future, council did approve tax and water/wastewater relief measures.
Residents of Collingwood will have the option to defer tax and water/wastewater payments for March, April, and May without late fines or interest. To do so, simply do not pay your bill or call the town or EPCOR (for water/wastewater) to let them know not to process your pre-authorized payments
If your taxes are paid through your bank with your mortgage, you will have to speak with your bank about those payments.
Council also directed staff to send a letter to the province asking them to prohibit travel from large urban centres to small municipalities like Collingwood, though the matter split council.
Local nursing homes have put out a call for penpals for residents who cannot have any visitors during the COVID-19 pandemic. You can find more information on becoming a penpal here.
Residents continue to send in photos of their windows decorated with colourful drawings and encouraging words. You can find the updated gallery here.
MPPs at Queen’s Park yesterday passed legislation for $17 billion in COVID-19 relief measures.
The federal government announced yesterday it was enacting the Quarantine Act, which makes it mandatory (and enforceable) for those returning to the country after travelling to self-isolate for 14 days.
For more on local, provincial, and national news related to the pandemic, visit CollingwoodToday’s COVID-19 page.
We’re also looking for feedback and submissions from you. Do you have a pet who’s thoroughly enjoying all the extra time you’re spending at home? Send us a photo ([email protected]) and we’ll add it to the gallery.
