COVID-19 testing now available for all who need it, region says

All residents of Waterloo region with symptoms are now eligible for COVID-19 testing, public health announced Friday.

Previously, testing had been limited to priority groups such as health-care workers, essential workers, their families, hospital patients and people living in long-term care homes.

But now that the region has made a major push to test all residents in long-term care homes, the region's acting medical officer of health says testing partners have the capacity to expand testing. 

"Now there are no more priority groups," Dr. Hsiu-Li Wang told reporters during a media briefing Friday. 

Information about testing and how to get referred will soon be available on the region's website, she said. 

10 new cases Friday

Region of Waterloo Public Health reported 10 new cases of COVID-19, but no new deaths ahead of the Victoria Day weekend.

The total number of confirmed cases in the region is up to 983 while the number of people who have died has remained steady since Thursday at 108.

An outbreak at the Twin Oaks Long Term Care home was declared over as of Thursday. A new outbreak at Columbia Forest Long-Term Care was declared Wednesday after a staff member tested positive.

An outbreak is declared when just one person living at a home or working there tests positive for COVID-19. Right now, there are 11 active outbreaks at long-term care and retirement homes in Waterloo region.

More people have recovered from the virus as well. There have been 559 resolved cases of COVID-19 in the region, up from 550 on Thursday.

On Friday, 43 people were in hospital. This does not include people moved from Forest Heights long-term care home into area hospitals.

Numbers reported by public health are accurate as of 7 p.m. Thursday.

Region previously undercounting tests

The region logged 176 new tests on Thursday, bringing the total number of completed tests up to 10,770.

That number is set to rise Saturday morning, Wang said. 

Up until now, the region has been undercounting the number of tests coming from retirement homes, long-term care homes and other testing partners, she said. 

"We wanted to be careful that we would not double count the number of tests that have been done," said Wang. "In the end we wound up undercounting."

Wang said the number of completed tests in the region is expected to rise by about 3,000. 

Cases at Conestoga Meats up to 75

There have now been 75 cases of COVID-19 at the Conestoga Meats processing plant. Of those, 41 cases have been resolved, Wang said.

One week ago, there were 44 positive cases reported at the plant.

The number of cases at the plant continues to decrease, Wang said. She says when it comes to the positive cases, many were exposed before the reopening of the plant or at a location outside the plant.

Laurier, Waterloo announce fall plans

Most fall courses at Wilfrid Laurier University will be offered online and virtually, the university said Friday.

Officials say they are trying to find ways of offering some in-person programs and activities in the fall, while following public health requirements. 

The university is still accepting applications for residence, but has waived a $600 deposit fee. More details will be shared in mid-June, the university said. 

The University of Waterloo says all large classes will happen online in the fall, but some activity will happen in person "if the conditions allow."

Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph

Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph public health has reported two new cases of COVID-19 in the last 24 hours. The number of deaths has remained steady at 32. 

Eight people are in hospital and four are in intensive care, which is the same as yesterday. 

The numbers released by Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph public health are accurate as of Thursday morning.