Delta variant, reopening, Elora Mills: Top stories of the week
'Trends are not improving': Waterloo Region officials warn of risk of Delta variant
Health officials in Region of Waterloo are warning of the risk of the Delta variant as case counts start to climb locally.
"We are concerned that our trends are not improving as they have in other communities in Ontario because of the Delta variant," Associate Medical Officer of Health Dr. Julie Emili said at the region's COVID-19 briefing on Friday morning.
The Delta variant, also known as B.1.617, was first detected in India. Dr. Emili said the region's weekly incidence rate has risen to 57 cases per 100,000 people.
Dr. Emili adds the variant is linked to an outbreak at a congregate setting, where officials have reported a "large number of cases over a short period of time when compared to other outbreaks."
On Sunday, the number of cases identified as the Delta variant jumped up by 15 to a total of 35, while the outbreak at a congregate setting had 73 cases connected to it.
COVID-19 by the numbers (as of June 13):
- Waterloo Region: 16,621 confirmed cases, 258 deaths, 15,890 resolved
- Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph: 8,042 cases, 123 deaths, 7,837 resolved
- Brant County: 3,366 cases, 20 deaths, 3,295 resolved
- Haldimand-Norfolk: 2,678 cases, 53 deaths, 2,591 recovered
- Huron Perth: 1,855 cases, 57 deaths, 1,779 recovered
Waterloo Region residents line up for retail stores, patios as they reopen under Step 1
People in Waterloo Region were lining up to head into retail stores and sit on patios as the area moves into Step 1 of Ontario's reopening plan.
Starting Friday at 12:01 a.m., patios could open with four people per table and non-essential retail could allow customers in at 15 per cent capacity. Essential retail stores, which can operate at 25 per cent capacity, no longer have restrictions on what they're allowed to sell.
Many stores had long lineups on Friday morning, including around 150 people waiting to get into Marshalls at The Boardwalk. Customers outside the store were excited to go shopping after months on curbside pickup and deliveries.
"For me personally, it's Father's Day is coming, so I have some things to shop for and a few other items I have to get at my favourite store," said Belinda Macklam. "I imagine it'll be a 45-minute wait, but I don't care."
'Abhorrent': Wellington County officials respond to video referencing targeted hit-and-run in London
Officials in Wellington County have issued a statement in response to a social media video they say makes “disturbing references” the targeted hit-and-run in London that killed four people earlier this week. A joint statement from Warden Kelly Linton and Minto Mayor George Bridge said the video was posted in Harriston on TikTok, and included "disturbing references" to the attack.
Four members of the same family were killed, and London police said they believe the family was targeted due to their Muslim faith.
“The anti-Muslim sentiment expressed in this disgusting video is abhorrent to the residents of Wellington County and the Town of Minto, and all efforts must be used to denounce hatred in all its forms. Islamaphobia and all forms of racism have no place in our community, and we must ensure that messages of hate and fear fall on deaf ears,” the joint statement from Linton and Bridge said.
The funeral for the family was held on Saturday.
London Police investigate the scene of a car crash in London, Ont. on Monday, June 7, 2021. (THE CANADIAN PRESS / Geoff Robins)
City of Waterloo considers scrapping loose leaf collection program
The City of Waterloo is considering cancelling the loose leaf collection program following a review done in March 2021.The program collects leaves that residents rake to the curb in the month of November.
According to city staff, resources are stretched thin as the same crew that deals with leaves also handles snow removal.
“It is difficult to meet the needs of the public,” said Christine Koehler, the director of transportation services with the city. “We don’t know when the leaves are going to actually fall off the trees and we have no idea when the snow is going to come."
Leaves sit curbside in a Kitchener, Ont., neighbourhood on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2014. (Phil Molto / CTV Kitchener)
Elora Mill eyeing six building expansion along the Grand River
The owners of the Elora Mill are planning an expansion which could see six more mixed-use buildings added to the south side of the Grand River. Pearle Hospitality, which owns the hotel and spa, is asking council for a zoning amendment to the property purchased by the developer in 2012.
"The zoning has to reflect the mix of uses to reflect that property," said Kelly Linton, Mayor of the Township of Centre Wellington.
Linton said the proposal would see condominiums, a hotel building and some retail space.
Rendering of the proposed development of the Elora Mill. (Supplied by Pearle Hospitality)
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Saskatchewan isn't remitting the carbon tax on home heating. Why isn't my province following suit?
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Caleb Williams goes to the Bears with the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL draft
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.
Body of Quebec man who died in Cuba found in Russia, family confirms
A Montreal-area family confirmed to CTV News that the body of their loved one who died while on vacation in Cuba is being repatriated to Canada after it was mistakenly sent to Russia.