One new COVID-19-related death, 21 cases reported in Waterloo Region
Health officials in Waterloo Region logged one COVID-19-related death and 21 new cases on Wednesday.
The latest death is the region's 291st.
Of the 21 new cases reported Wednesday, 19 are linked to the past day and two are from previous reporting periods.
Six of the latest infections were among people aged 10 to 19 and four are in youth nine or younger.
Waterloo Region has now confirmed 19,134 COVID-19 cases since the pandemic began, including 18,662 resolved infections and 176 active cases.
Another 44 infections were confirmed as variant of concern cases on Wednesday, nearly all of which were identified as the Delta variant.
There have now been 5,147 lab-confirmed variant cases in Waterloo Region.
The region's variant breakdown is as follows:
- 3,134 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
- 98 are the Gamma variant, initially discovered in Brazil and labelled as P.1
- 1,637 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
Hospitalizations remain unchanged in the past 24 hours, still sitting at seven. The number of people receiving treatment in area intensive care units dipped by one, down to eight.
The Region of Waterloo only counts active, infectious patients in hospitalization numbers, but counts both active and resolved cases in ICU figures. This means ICU numbers can sometimes be higher than hospitalizations.
One COVID-19 outbreak was declared resolved in Wednesday's report. There are now only two active outbreaks across the region.
Meanwhile, health partners administered 1,202 COVID-19 vaccine doses on Tuesday. Since the vaccine rollout launched, 833,076 vaccine doses have been administered in the region.
More than 80.2 per cent of the eligible population is now fully vaccinated and 86.83 per cent of residents 12 and older have received at least one dose.
Among Waterloo Region's entire population, 69.14 per cent are fully vaccinated and 74.77 per cent have received at least one dose.
On Wednesday, provincial health officials reported 554 new infections across Ontario.
Of the latest cases, the Ministry of Health said 418 were among people who were not fully vaccinated or whose vaccination status was unknown.
Ontario has now logged 571,332 COVID-19 cases since the pandemic began.
With files from CTV Toronto.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
Broadcaster and commentator Rex Murphy dead at 77: National Post
The National Post is reporting that Rex Murphy, the pundit and columnist who hosted a national call-in radio show for decades, has died.
Pearson gold heist suspect arrested after flying into Toronto from India
Another suspect is in custody in connection with the gold heist at Toronto Pearson International Airport last year, police say.
Millions of cyberattacks per hour as B.C. government investigates multiple breaches
Careful attention to government statements and legislation is required to get a handle on the level of risk British Columbians’ information is under, as investigators probe multiple breaches under a continued barrage of attacks.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Debate on abortion rights erupts on Parliament Hill, Poilievre vows he won't legislate
A Conservative government led by Pierre Poilievre would not legislate on, nor use the notwithstanding clause, on abortion, his office says, as anti-abortion protesters gather on Parliament Hill.
Justin and Hailey Bieber are expecting their first child together
Hailey and Justin Bieber are going to be parents. The couple announced the news on Thursday on Instagram, both sharing a video that showcases Hailey Bieber's growing belly.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
New 'Lord of the Rings' film coming in 2026
The Oscar-winning team behind the nearly US$6 billion blockbuster 'Lord of the Rings' and 'The Hobbit' trilogies is reuniting to produce two new films.