One new COVID-19-related death in Waterloo Region on Friday, 16 more cases
Health officials in Waterloo Region logged one COVID-19-related death and 16 more infections in Friday's report.
The latest death, the region's 282nd, was a woman in her 70s.
Of the 16 new cases, 14 are linked to the past 24 hours, while two are from previous reporting periods.
Friday's update brings Waterloo Region's total caseload to 18,257, including 17,823 resolved infections and 143 active cases.
Meanwhile, hospitalizations in the region dropped by eight in the past day. There are now 13 people hospitalized with COVID-19 across the region, with 13 people receiving treatment in area intensive care units.
One active outbreak was declared resolved in Friday's update, with 11 outbreaks still active.
Health officials have processed 537,724 COVID-19 tests since the pandemic began. As of Friday, the region's positivity rate sits at 2.6 per cent, while the reproductive rate of the virus is 0.8.
The seven-day rolling average cases per 100,000 is 3.2, down from 3.7 on Tuesday.
Health partners across the region put another 5,626 COVID-19 vaccine doses in arms on Thursday, bringing the total number of doses administered to 726,493.
More than 81.1 per cent of the eligible population has receive at least one dose, while 62.82 per cent of residents 12 and older are fully vaccinated.
Another three COVID-19 infections were confirmed as variant of concern cases in Friday's update, bringing the total number of variant cases to 4,579.
Waterloo Region's variant breakdown is as follows:
- 3,122 are the Alpha variant, first identified in the United Kingdom and originally known as B.1.1.7
- 21 are the Beta variant, originally detected in South Africa and previously referred to as B.1.315
- 96 are the Gamma variant, initially discovered in Brazil and labelled as P.1
- 1,083 are the Delta variant, first found in India and previously called B.1.617
- 257 cases have had a mutation detected, but have not yet had a variant strain confirmed
Province-wide, 192 new COVID-19 cases and one death were confirmed in Friday's update.
Ontario’s rolling seven-day average now stands at 160, up from 151 at this point last week.
There have now been 538,271 lab-confirmed COVID-19 cases in Ontario.
With files from CTV Toronto.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.
BREAKING Man wanted in connection with deadly shooting in Toronto tops list of most wanted fugitives in Canada
A 35-year-old man wanted in connection with the murder of Toronto resident 29-year-old Sharmar Powell-Flowers nine months ago has topped the list of the BOLO program’s 25 most wanted fugitives across Canada, police announced Tuesday.
Prince William and wife Kate thank public for birthday messages for son Louis
Prince William and his wife Kate thanked the public for their messages which had been sent to mark the sixth birthday of their youngest son Louis on Tuesday.
She was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father. Then life dealt her a blow
Anne Marie Cavner was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father, but then life dealt her a blow. From an unexpected loss to a host of new relationships, a DNA test changed her life, and she doesn't regret a thing.
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Fire engulfs old Edmonton municipal airport hangar
A historical hangar at the former Edmonton municipal airport beside the NAIT main campus was on fire Monday night.
Soft skills, preparation can help new graduates land jobs, experts say
As new graduates enter the workforce over the next few weeks, they are likely to face challenges getting their foot in the door and must be prepared to effectively communicate what they bring to the company.
RCMP uncovers plot to sell drones and equipment to Libya
The RCMP says it has uncovered a ploy to sell Chinese drones and military equipment to Libya illegally.