Dip in new COVID-19 cases, rise in hospitalizations reported in Waterloo region

The number of new COVID-19 cases dipped on Thursday, but the number of people being hospitalized with the virus is increasing, new numbers released by Region of Waterloo Public Health show.

There were 24 new cases of the virus reported Thursday. That means there have been 718 new cases of COVID-19 reported just this month in the region, the highest in a single month yet since the first reported case of the virus in the community in March.

There are 21 people currently in hospital with the virus. One week ago, on Nov. 12, there were five people in the hospital.

There are 349 active cases, public health reports. The number of people who have died from the illness remained at 122 on Thursday.

Of the 2,872 cases reported in the region since March, 2,401 have been marked as resolved.

Ontario reported 1,210 cases of COVID-19 on Thursday and 28 deaths linked to the illness. 

20 active outbreaks

There are 20 active outbreaks in the region. Two are in long-term care or retirement homes. There are four outbreaks in congregate settings, like group homes. One of those homes has 18 cases.

An outbreak linked to Algarve Restaurant in Kitchener has risen to 39 cases. Public health is advising anyone who may have gone to the restaurant, located at 248 Stirling Avenue S., between Oct. 28 to Nov. 4, that they may have been exposed to COVID-19.

There's also an outbreak at a sports and fitness facility with 14 cases, although the region has not named that business.

The other outbreaks are:

• One outbreak at a manufacturing workplace with nine cases.
• Two outbreaks in general office settings, one with four cases and one with three cases.
• Two outbreaks at trades and related services workplaces, with two cases associated with each outbreak.
• One outbreak at a food processing workplace with four cases.
• Three outbreaks at construction sites with six cases at one, three cases at one and two cases at one.
• One outbreak at a manufacturing workplace with three cases.
• One outbreak at a sports and fitness facility with six cases.
• One outbreak in Wing B, Level 4 medicine unit at Cambridge Memorial Hospital.

There are currently no elementary or public schools or child care centres with an outbreak; however, Centennial Public School in Waterloo has confirmed a positive case in a staff member who was at the school while symptomatic and awaiting test results. High-risk contacts, including some staff members and six classrooms, have been directed to self-isolate until Dec. 2.