39 new cases of COVID-19 reported in Waterloo region

Region of Waterloo Public Health reported 39 new cases of COVID-19 on Friday, bringing the total in November to 757 cases.

Dr. Hsiu-Li Wang, the region's medical officer of health, said on Friday that while case numbers have decreased in recent days, "we are still firmly overall in the 'red' category and there is already broad spread of COVID-19 in our community."

There are 333 active cases with 22 people in hospital. On Thursday, there were 349 active cases, and that number is "surpassing our highest recorded case load from the spring," Wang said.

Of the 2,911 positive cases recorded in the region since March, 2,456, or 84 per cent, have been marked as resolved. The number of people who have died from the virus remained at 122.

Wang asked people to avoid any social gatherings and only to leave the home for essential purposes.

"We have seen how fast this virus can spread. We need everyone's help to dramatically reduce our social interactions, Doing so will significantly reduce our risk of having to move beyond red," she said.

"I know this is tiring. We all want to get back to normal but COVID-19 doesn't tire. So we need to do this, to not only avoid longer and more severe restrictions, but to be able to start lifting restrictions."

20 active outbreaks

There are 20 active outbreaks in the region. Two are at long-term care homes.

There are four outbreaks at congregate settings, such as group homes, including one outbreak with 20 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 is also an outbreak at a "racquet sports-related" facility where there are 15 cases. The region has not identified the location.

Other outbreaks include office settings, construction sites, food and beverage services and manufacturing workplaces.

There's also an 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.