KITCHENER -- Region of Waterloo Public Health reported 44 new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday, marking the fourth day in a row that daily increases have hit 40 or more.

Thursday's new infections brings the region's total number to 2,532, including resolved cases and deaths.

Public health officials reported 28 more resolved cases, bringing the local total to 2,141. Since the pandemic began, 121 people in the region have died.

That leaves 270 active cases in the region.

The region's online COVID-19 dashboard also showed that three new outbreaks had been declared, bringing the number of active outbreaks to 18.

Two businesses were among the latest. At a food-processing workplace, officials reported four infections. At a business labelled "trades and related services 2," there were two total cases.

There was also one new case reported at Pinehaven long-term care home, prompting an outbreak there.

The other 15 active outbreaks in the region are:

  • The Village of Winston Park RH – Williamsburg: one case in staff
  • Forest Heights Revera LTC: one case in staff
  • Columbia Forest LTC – Breithaupt Unit: one case in staff
  • St. Andrew's Terrace LTC: one case in staff
  • Congregate setting five: one total case
  • Congregate setting six: two total cases
  • Food and beverage service: three total cases
  • Trades and related services 1: two total cases
  • General office setting: four total cases
  • Algarve Restaurant: 11 total cases
  • Manufacturing/industrial workplace: nine total cases
  • Meeting and event facility (wedding): 24
  • University of Waterloo: four total cases
  • Avenue Road Public School: two total cases
  • Before-and-after school program: one total case

Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, Premier Doug Ford reacted to the recent outbreaks in the region.

"I'm so disappointed to hear these stories, so disappointed," he said.

Waterloo Region is currently listed in the yellow tier of the province's COVID-19 restriction system.

Ford said being moved into a higher tier is up to local and provincial medical officers of health.

"I have not spoken with the local medical officer of health," he said. "They'll be talking with Dr. Williams and his team."

ONTARIO BREAKS ANOTHER RECORD

Provincially, Ontario broke another record for new cases for the third day in a row. On Thursday, the province reported 1,575 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the total number of cases in Ontario to 89,784. A total of 3,293 people have died from the disease, and there are 75,200 resolved cases.

The province also released new COVID-19 modelling on Thursday afternoon. The new numbers say Ontario could see 6,500 new COVID-19 cases per day by mid-December and could exceed the 150-bed ICU threshold within the next two weeks.