COVID-19 cases in Simcoe Muskoka:
Last updated August 12, 2020
Total laboratory-confirmed cases: 669 (637 in Simcoe County and 32 in Muskoka). Of the 32 in Muskoka, ten are in Huntsville (recovered), eight in Gravenhurst (recovered), six in Muskoka Lakes (five recovered, one deceased), two in Lake of Bays (recovered), one in Bracebridge (recovered), and five in Georgian Bay (recovered). You can see a summary by municipality on the SMDHU COVID-19 Case Explorer website.
Recovered cases: 621
Current hospitalizations: 2
Deaths to date: 37
- Most recent news, community stories and commentary:
- Employee deemed at risk of catching COVID-19 from infected guests tests negative: Deerhurst
- Health Unit confirms 11 people who visited the area have tested positive for COVID-19
- A patron at a local Huntsville restaurant tests positive for COVID-19
- Restaurants and bars to keep customer logs under new provincial COVID measures
- More dates added for drive-through COVID-19 testing in Muskoka for those who are asymptomatic
COVID-19 resources:
Mental health supports (opens in a new page)
Ontario Ministry of Health – data updated daily
Ontario’s online self-assessment tool.
Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit
Muskoka COVID-19 Assessment Centres: If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 you should contact your Doctor or Nurse Practitioner OR you may book an appointment by calling the assessment centre 1-888-383-7009. If you call the assessment centres to book an appointment, you are strongly encouraged to follow-up with your Doctor or Nurse Practitioner.
Huntsville Lake of Bays Chamber of Commerce information and updates for businesses
Huntsville Community Help Out Group on Facebook – if you need support or supplies or have them to offer
Huntsville & Area Strong – Together we Stand Community COVID-19 Help Group on Facebook – if you need support or supplies or have them to offer
Lake of Bays COVID-19 Help Group on Facebook
Previous news, community stories, and commentary:
August 12 – Employee deemed at risk of catching COVID-19 from infected guests tests negative: Deerhurst
August 11 – Health Unit confirms 11 people who visited the area have tested positive for COVID-19
August 11 – Restaurants and bars to keep customer logs under new provincial COVID measures
August 10 – A patron at a local Huntsville restaurant tests positive for COVID-19
August 4 – More dates added for drive-through COVID-19 testing in Muskoka for those who are asymptomatic
August 2 – Listen Up! Reopening schools is an important step | Commentary
July 31 – Province releases COVID Alert app
July 28 – The next drive-through COVID-19 testing in Huntsville is on July 30
July 27 – MAHC eases restrictions to allow one designated visitor per inpatient
July 25 – She Speaks: Of all the things to be wrong about | Commentary
July 23 – Local couple gets creative with drive-in wedding
July 23 – Tranform CERB into a basic annual income program | Commentary
July 22 – Huntsville COVID-19 Assessment Centre now open Saturdays for people with symptoms
July 22 – Leadership in the time of COVID, a retrospective: Deputy Mayor Nancy Alcock
July 20 – Listen Up! Not yet out of the woods ~ Hugh Mackenzie
July 17 – Town lifts restrictions on playgrounds, Conroy Park field with Stage 3 reopening
July 16 – Province extends emergency orders to July 29, 2020
July 15 – You can help local businesses recover and keep COVID-19 infection rates low: MPP Norm Miller
July 13 – Province announces Stage 3 reopening
July 13 – New case of COVID-19 in Huntsville
July 13 – Face coverings required on Huntsville Transit starting today
July 10 – Drive-through COVID-19 testing available on select dates this summer
July 10 – Isolation quilt-block makers share their stories. There’s still time to submit yours.
July 9 – Community members donate time, plants to beautify Flag Park
July 9 – Elective diagnostic imaging to resume at MAHC sites this week
July 8 – What does the health unit’s new mask requirement mean for you?
July 8 – Innovation and creativity alive and well in PSM during COVID-19: MP Scott Aitchison
July 7 – Health unit to require masks in indoor public spaces in Simcoe Muskoka starting July 13, 2020
July 6 – Town Hall reopens today, July 6
July 6 – Library halts reopening phases due to air quality issues
July 4 – Muskoka Novel Marathon goes online for 2020 with Quarantine Edition
July 4 – Muskoka Hornets return to training, hope for game play later this summer
July 2 – Huntsville council rescinds its decision to ban garage sales
June 30 – MAHC no longer needs donations of supplies, thanks community for its support
June 30 – Mandatory mask use “actively under review” by Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit
June 30 – COVID-19 update from Mayor Karin Terziano | Video
June 30 – Stay at Home Gala raises more than $48,000 for local charities
June 29 – MPP Norm Miller advocates for tourism businesses impacted by COVID-19 in Ontario Legislature
June 27 – Ontario extends emergency orders to July 10
June 24 – Stisted Fall Fair cancelled for 2020
June 23 – Municipal Canada Day celebrations and fireworks cancelled
June 19 –Two new COVID-19 cases in Muskoka as Simcoe Muskoka reports highest daily case count yet
June 18 – Want to know if you’ve been exposed to COVID-19 in public? There will soon be an app for that.
June 18 – Province enhancing COVID-19 case and contact management
June 17 – Main Street now has directional arrows to encourage physical distancing
June 17 – Shop local, eat local, play local, and vacation local this summer: MPP Norm Miller
June 16 – Huntsville logs ninth case of COVID-19
June 15 – Businesses invited to join free information session on operating safely during COVID-19 pandemic
June 15 – Parry Sound-Muskoka to receive $350,000 in tourism support
June 14 – MAHC gradually resuming elective surgeries
June 14 – Weddings and funeral ceremonies can now have more attendees, but receptions still limited to 10
June 12 – Ontario Lacrosse Association cancels 2020 box lacrosse season
June 12 – Ontarians can now expand close contacts to up to 10 within an exclusive ‘social circle’
June 11 – Province to allow one visitor per resident at long-term care homes starting June 18
June 11 – The world post-pandemic ~ Ross Maund and Dave Wilkin
June 10 – Mental health support is available, ask for help: MP Scott Aitchison
June 8 – Eighth laboratory-confirmed case of COVID-19 reported in Huntsville
June 8 – Muskoka among regions moving to Stage 2 reopening on June 12
June 6 – With hope for what a different future will bring, Ahmisa Yoga closes studio, moves to online classes
June 4 – Tawingo College community reacts with sadness to news of school’s closing
June 4 – Province allows short-term rentals to resume operations starting June 5
June 4 – Payment-deferred, interest-deferred loans now available to small businesses through Muskoka Futures
June 3 – Regional reopening would need to be approached with caution: SMDHU medical officer of health
June 2 – Businesses: need PPE? The Chamber wants to hear from you
June 1 – Quarantunes, Black Whole online concerts supported local charities
June 1 – Fall fair cancelled for 2020
May 30 – Hand sanitizers and directional lines coming to Huntsville’s main street: Mayor
May 29 – Muskoka’s COVID-19 assessment centres now testing at-risk asymptomatic people
May 28 – Local instructors want you to make a square for a COVID-19 isolation quilt
May 27 – Province further extends emergency orders
May 26 – Kaitlyn’s Run raises almost $2,000 for the Huntsville Hospital Foundation
May 24 – Listen Up! Let’s not blow it now ~ Hugh Mackenzie
May 23 – Random acts of kindness for frontline workers
May 21 – Town reopens some outdoor amenities following Province’s easing of restrictions
May 21 – Muskoka Traditions COVID-19 case not a false positive
May 21 – District Council approves $750,000 loan to Muskoka Futures to help small businesses
May 21 – COVID-19 Q&A with Dr. Roy Kirkpatrick: Wearing masks
May 20 – Thank you for your sacrifices: MPP Norm Miller
May 19 – COVID-19 outbreak at Chartwell Muskoka Traditions declared over
May 19 – Province extends emergency order, permits opening of some outdoor amenities
May 19 – HHS student 3D printing earsavers for frontline mask wearers
May 19 – Top ten learnings (thus far) from the COVID-19 pandemic ~ Dave Wilkin and Ross Maund
May 17 – Listen Up! Reflections on COVID-19 ~ Hugh Mackenzie
May 16 – Kiwanis food drive collects 5,225 lbs and $5,600 for Salvation Army Food Bank
May 15 – If you have even one of these COVID-19 symptoms, seek assessment and testing
May 15 – Municipal beaches, playgrounds and sports fields remain closed
May 14 – Let’s not forget our children ~ Mary Spring
May 13 – The latest update from Mayor Karin Terziano
May 13 – Council debates economic aid, sets aside $500,000 and creates advisory group
May 13 – Local songwriter, Sonja Garlick, pens coronavirus-inspired song
May 13 – Stay the course and just be kind: MP Scott Aitchison
May 13 – Letter: ‘Premier Ford, please make mask use mandatory’ ~ Dale Peacock
May 12 – Huntsville Soccer Club cancels 2020 outdoor house league
May 12 – Kiwanis holding food bank drive at local grocery stores May 13-14
May 11 – How to sort COVID-19 fact from fiction
May 11 – “Now is not the time for divisive attitudes”: Muskoka’s mayors
May 10 – Arrowhead to open for limited day use on May 15
May 10 – Listen Up! A Conservative’s view on basic guaranteed income ~ Hugh Mackenzie
May 8 – Kindness, one box of Girl Guide cookies at a time
May 7 – Andrea Gillespie urges PM to give a national commencement address for this year’s graduates
May 7 – She Speaks: Universal basic awakening ~ Kathleen May
May 6 – Factors affecting the impact of COVID-19 ~ Hugh Holland
May 6 – Province extends electricity rate relief until May 31
May 5 – Huntsville records first case of COVID-19 in a retirement home
May 4 – Dr. Gardner encourages people to get tested if they have any symptoms of COVID-19
May 4 – Medical officer of health maintains it’s still best for people to remain at their primary residences
May 3 – Listen Up! Caution, courtesy and common sense ~ Hugh Mackenzie
May 1 – Should you be tested for COVID-19? An update from the Muskoka Assessment Centres
May 1 – Spreading messages of hope on Britannia Road
May 1 – Province provides safety guidelines for businesses
April 30 – Combatting COVID-19 loneliness, one card at a time
April 30 – Council tackles topics of garage sales, boat ramps and Ironman
April 30 – Education in unprecedented times ~ Mary Spring
April 29 – What will be the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic? ~ Ross Maund and Dave Wilkin
April 29 – Council takes a wage cut to the end of the year
April 27 – One new COVID-19 case reported for Huntsville, bringing the total to six
April 27 – Provincial parks to remain closed until May 31
April 27 – Huntsville Arts Society moves members’ show online
April 26 – Mental health supports in Muskoka
April 26 – Listen Up! Strong political leadership is important ~ Hugh Mackenzie
April 25 – Community gardens now deemed essential
April 25 – Saying goodbye to a loved one during COVID-19
April 25 – The COVID-19 response: Canada vs. the United States ~ Don McCormick
April 24 – Baysville Lions Club has created 500 masks for their community
April 24 – Stay At Home Gala to support hospital foundations, women’s shelters and food security
April 22 – Province takes further steps to protect residents and workers in long-term care homes
April 22 – Project update: face shields are now in production and available for free to frontline workers
April 22 – My first 100 days as Mayor—typical or unusual? ~ Mayor Karin Terziano
April 21 – ‘This is our defining moment’: HHS student Spencer Haney
April 20 – Health experts say COVID-19 has likely peaked in Ontario but physical distancing remains critical
April 20 – The Huntsville community rocks! Encouraging messages being left all over town
April 20 – ‘We’ve got your back’: Minister of Economic Development, Mélanie Joly | Commentary
April 19 – This is Huntsville: Do Cool Things with James Hunt and Ralph | Video
April 19 – Listen Up! Democracy must not be a victim of COVID-19 ~ Hugh Mackenzie
April 18 – First area business forum held online April 16 with more to follow across the region
April 18 – Huntsville Public Library ramps up online services during COVID-19
April 17 – Psychologists at Brainworks hosting free webinars to help you cope through this pandemic
April 17 – Finding work still possible during COVID-19 restrictions
April 16 – Protect yourself from COVID-19 related scams: OPP
April 15 – Support local, stay home, and remember we should all be working together: MPP Norm Miller
April 15 – Huntsville Festival of the Arts launches online programs and concerts
April 15 – TriMuskoka donates $4,000 to the Huntsville Hospital Foundation
April 14 – Local seniors unhappy with OPP officer’s close contact; some closeness may be necessary say OPP
April 13 – Wondering when and how to wear a homemade face mask?
April 13 – COVID-19 and climate change: a good time to reflect ~ Hugh Holland
April 12 – Town of Huntsville providing support to local food banks
April 12 – District and municipalities working together to connect residents to supports during COVID-19
April 11 – Province strengthening victim services support during COVID-19 outbreak
April 10 – Province significantly expanding COVID-19 testing
April 10 – Choir! Choir! Choir! sing-a-thon on April 11 to raise funds for Canadian Cancer Society
April 9 – Refusing to open cottages the right thing to do: Peter Briggs
April 9 – $10,000 granted to Muskoka’s food banks
April 9 – This virus can have devastating impacts on long-term care facilities’: Dr. Charles Gardner
April 9 – Miller encourages people to stay home this Easter weekend, reminds residents to continue to isolate
April 8 – Don’t let low Huntsville numbers fool you, assume COVID-19 is everywhere: Dr. Charles Gardner
April 8 – Healthcare workers are there for you, stay at home for them: MAHC CEO
April 8 – Imagine a stronger, healthier, more resilient Canada: MP Scott Aitchison
April 7 – Street sweeping, King William construction, downtown flowers among services to continue this year
April 7 – Local restaurants provide meals for frontline workers
April 7 – It is essential that businesses in small towns survive COVID-19 ~ Mary Spring
April 6 – A waste collection update from the District of Muskoka
April 6 – A lesson from the pandemic ~ Don McCormick
April 5 – Local initiative creating face shields for PSWs, long-term care workers, essential business staff
April 3 – Premier Ford announces further restrictions in business activity in fight against COVID-19
April 3 – Town reminds residents that all playgrounds, fields, and parks are closed under a provincial order
April 2 – Huntsville’s laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19 rises to four, with eight now in Muskoka
April 2 – “We cannot be complacent”: SMDHU medical officer of health
April 1 – Rural internet users frustrated with high overage charges during COVID-19 restrictions
March 31 – Real estate brokers in Muskoka adjust protocols to keep buyers, sellers and realtors safe
March 31 – Council struggles to find savings amidst coronavirus pandemic, and not knowing how long it will last
March 31 – COVID-19 assessment centres now open in Muskoka
March 31 – Province extends school closures until at least May 4
March 30 – Province orders playgrounds and other outdoor recreational areas closed
March 30 – ‘Stay home except for essential reasons’: Ontario’s chief medical officer of health
March 30 – Muskoka has six laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19, three of them in Huntsville
March 29 – Local student organizes socially distant food drive for The Table as COVID-19 service project
March 29 – This is Huntsville: Messages from the community for the community | Video
March 29 – Listen Up! We can disagree and still work together ~ Hugh Mackenzie
March 28 – Ontario prohibits gatherings of more than five people
March 28 – MBRP builds safety shields for free to help protect frontline workers
March 28 – Signs placed by anonymous residents thank hospital staff, grocery workers | Video
March 28 – Cameron of Lochiel helping to ease neighbours’ isolation with solo music outside their homes
March 27 – Seniors, and others, finding support through the kindness of community members
March 26 – First laboratory-confirmed case of COVID-19 in Huntsville is travel-related
March 26 – MAHC working to increase capacity for critical cases: CEO
March 26 – MAHC puts out call for donations of supplies to support COVID-19 preparedness
March 26 – Faith Baptist offering community support
March 25 – Health unit reports its first laboratory-confirmed case of COVID-19 in Muskoka
March 25 – Local businesses coming to terms with the harsh realities of COVID-19
March 24 – Deerhurst Resort donates thousands of masks, gloves and disposable thermometers to local hospital
March 24 – Health unit update: snowbirds, how the virus is spread, testing, mental health
March 24 – Town of Huntsville adjusts transit service for COVID-19
March 24 – District implements waste collection changes to help protect workers during COVID-19
March 23 – Province orders mandatory closure of all non-essential businesses
March 23 – MAHC limits most outpatient services and programs
March 23 – Muskoka awaits approval for two coronavirus assessment centres
March 23 – Town of Huntsville thanks local businesses for their efforts during COVID-19
March 22 – Tour bus company says they did not bring busloads of people to Huntsville to shop
March 22 – Local couple spreads joy for their community’s kids
March 22 – Coping with COVID-19: Revel in the commonplace
March 21 – No break on Huntsville property tax deadline, at least not yet
March 21 – A look inside an Italian hospital: why isolation and social distancing are so important
March 21 – Listen Up! COVID-19 and Canada’s golden hour: a guest post by pharmacist Bill Coon
March 20 – Town issues parks and open spaces warning related to COVID-19
March 20 – Remember the food banks: COVID-19 containment measures hit the most vulnerable the hardest
March 20 – Coping with COVID-19: Remember these three things
March 19 – Open for business: support local during COVID-19
March 19 – Questions and answers about testing for COVID-19 in Muskoka
March 19 – What is social distancing? | Infographic
March 19 – Coronavirus Q&As: Answers to seven questions your kids may have about the pandemic
March 18 – Coping with COVID-19: What will you choose? (image)
March 18 – Coping with COVID-19: Help create a colourful (and virtual) community canvas
March 17 – Bullocks’ Independent to open an hour earlier to help seniors, immune-compromised people shop
March 17 – Ontario declares state of emergency
March 17 – Town Hall, District office and community hubs to close until April 6
March 17 – Coping with COVID-19: Remember the beauty that surrounds us
March 16 – Enhanced public health measures: chief medical officer’s guidance to Ontarians on COVID-19
March 16 – Ministry of Health recommends restaurants close or switch delivery method
March 16 – Town of Huntsville considering a business continuity plan to service the public remotely: Mayor
March 16 – MAHC restricting non-essential visitors to both area hospitals beginning March 17
March 16 – Local mediator creates Facebook group to help people connect for support and supplies
March 15 – Town of Huntsville to close most facilities until April 5, 2020
March 15 – Listen Up! Stay calm and carry on ~ Hugh Mackenzie
March 13 – Acting CEO for MAHC hoping test centres for new coronavirus will open as early as next week
March 13 – Town of Huntsville postpones programs and events as precaution during COVID-19
March 13 – She Speaks: We can only do this one way—together ~ Kathleen May
March 12 – Province implementing enhanced measures to protect Ontarians from COVID-19
March 12 – Province orders schools closed for two weeks following March break
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