An Ontario Cottage Region Says It Could Already Be Heading Into Another Lockdown

A spike in COVID-19 cases could send the Simcoe Muskoka region back into lockdown as concerns grow over a possible third wave.

Dr. Charles Gardner, the region's medical officer of health, told CBC that the rise in numbers of the coronavirus variant first found in the U.K. shows that the region is losing ground.

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Due to these "worrisome" numbers, Dr. Gardner may be asking the Ontario government to put the region back into lockdown. 

"I am concerned that if that continues, and we have a rise in these cases of the U.K. variant, that the combination could lead to us having another wave," he said.

The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit reported 277 cases during the week of February 14.

The updated data shows a whopping 30% increase in numbers from the previous week.

"I have provided our epidemiological data and expressed our concerns, as well as my thoughts that it is really the stay-at-home order that is essential," Gardner added.

Currently, the region is in the red zone, where restaurants, shopping malls and gyms are allowed to reopen with limited numbers. 

However, the doctor is asking residents to act like the stay-at-home order is still in place.