Waterloo region sees 208 new COVID-19 cases over 3 days

Region of Waterloo Public Health has reported 208 new COVID-19 cases since Thursday.

Public health's online dashboard suggests 83 cases were reported Christmas Day, 64 on Boxing Day and 57 on Sunday, totalling 204 new cases. However, officials confirmed on Sunday that 208 is actually the correct number, adding that cases are sometimes transferred to Waterloo region or moved to other health units.

There have been no new deaths, leaving the total number of COVID-related deaths in the region sitting at 158.

Approximately 37 people are in hospital, one less than last week, with 12 in the intensive care unit.

There are 611 active cases and 28 outbreaks in the region as of Sunday.

Meanwhile, Ontario is reporting 2,005 new COVID-19 cases and 18 more deaths on Sunday. That's the thirteenth straight day the province has seen more than 2,000 new daily cases.

28 outbreaks

There are 28 active outbreaks in the region.

Public health declared five new outbreaks across long-term care or retirement homes in the region including:

• Pinehaven long-term care in Waterloo with one case in a staff member. Outbreak declared Dec. 26.
• Nithview Retirement Residence in New Hamburg with one case in a resident. Outbreak declared Dec. 25.
• Forest Heights long-term care in Kitchener with two cases in staff. Outbreak declared Dec. 25.
• Fairview Mennonite Home in Cambridge with one case in a staff member. Outbreak declared Dec. 25.
• Barnswallow nursing home in Elmira with four cases in staff. Outbreak declared Dec. 24.

The ongoing outbreak at Cambridge Country Manor grew by three more cases in staff. About 60 residents and 61 staff have tested positive since the outbreak was declared earlier this month. Ten people who were sick with the virus have died.

One more staff member and resident at Village of Winston Park tested positive for COVID-19. That means a total of 24 residents and 21 staff members have tested positive for the infection. One person has died.

There are ongoing outbreaks at Trinity Village long term care, St. Luke's Place long term care and Granite Landing retirement home.

Outbreaks have been declared over on St. Mary's General Hospital's 5th floor unit and Cambridge Memorial Hospital's medicine A unit. St. Mary's continues to grapple with an outbreak on its 6th floor chest unit. There is also an outbreak on one of Grand River Hospital's medicine units.

The outbreak at Franklin Public School grew by one, which means two students have tested positive for the virus. There are also reported outbreaks at Stanley Park Public School, Lincoln Heights Public School and St. Daniels Catholic School.

An outbreak at Hillcrest Public School was declared over on Dec. 26.

Other outbreaks:

• One at Waterloo Heights
• One at a congregate setting
• One at a retail store
• Two at dental offices
• One at a restaurant
• One at a gym
• Four at manufacturing workplaces
• One at Wilfrid Laurier University