Health: 1)Ramara residents can register for family doctor list at in-person Health Care Connect event; 2)SMDHU reminding residents to protect against West Nile virus

1)Ramara residents can register for family doctor list at in-person Health Care Connect event

Courtesy Barrie360.com

By Julius Hern, July 29, 2026

Residents in Ramara who are looking for a family doctor or nurse practitioner will have an opportunity to register for primary care services closer to home.

The Couchiching Ontario Health Team (COHT) is hosting an in-person Health Care Connect registration event on August 5 at the Ramara Medical Centre in Brechin. It will run from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

The event will allow eligible residents without a local primary care provider to complete their Health Care Connect registration with help from COHT team members.

Residents attending the event must bring a valid Ontario Health Card showing their current address, which is required to complete the registration process.

The event comes as new primary care providers begin accepting patients in Ramara, with priority continuing to be given to Ramara residents through the local physician recruitment initiative.

Ramara officially welcomed a new physician, Dr. Mehdi Dadashi, to the community last week ahead of his practice beginning in the area in the fall.

“We know how important timely access to primary care is for the health and well-being of our communities, and we are excited to share that space is available for new patients,” Angela Munday, executive director of the Couchiching Ontario Health Team, said in a release.

Munday said Health Care Connect is the only way residents can be added to the patient list for the new providers at Ramara Medical Centre.

Residents who are already registered with Health Care Connect do not need to register again and should monitor their email for updates. Those who have changed contact information are encouraged to update their details with Health Care Connect.

People who already have a primary care provider but are interested in becoming a patient of one of the new physicians in Ramara can also register. They do not need to leave their current provider to join the Health Care Connect list.

Health Care Connect is Ontario’s centralized patient registration program that helps connect eligible residents without a family doctor or nurse practitioner with available primary care providers.

2)SMDHU reminding residents to protect against West Nile virus

Courtesy Barrie360.com and News Release

By Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit,July 24, 2026

West Nile virus circulates in Simcoe Muskoka every summer, so the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit is reminding residents to take steps now to protect themselves from mosquito bites.

West Nile virus circulates between birds and some mosquito species. People can become infected through the bite of a mosquito that has fed on an infected bird. The risk is highest in late summer. The health unit recommends taking the following steps to prevent mosquito bites:

• Use an insect repellent approved for use in Canada and follow the label instructions.
• Wear light-coloured clothing and cover exposed skin by wearing long sleeves, long pants, socks and a hat when mosquitoes are present.
• Remove standing water around your home to reduce mosquito breeding.
• Make sure window and door screens are in good condition to keep mosquitoes out.

Most people infected with West Nile virus do not get sick, but the virus can cause serious illness in some cases. Symptoms can include fever, muscle weakness, stiff neck, confusion, severe headache and sensitivity to light. In rare cases, it can lead to serious neurological illness. Anyone with symptoms should seek medical care.

The health unit continues to monitor mosquito activity by trapping and testing mosquitoes and checking for larvae at selected locations across Simcoe Muskoka during the summer.