Waterloo Region logs 16 new COVID-19 cases; hospitalizations, active infections dip
Waterloo Region logged 16 new COVID-19 infections in Thursday's update as hospitalizations and active cases decreased slightly.
The latest cases bring the region's total to 18,461, including 18,020 resolved infections and 283 deaths.
The total case count only rose by 15 due to a data cleanup.
Active cases dropped by eight in the past 24 hours, down from 151 to 143.
Hospitalizations also decreased in Thursday's update, down from 19 to 15. Of those, 10 are receiving treatment in area intensive care units.
Two more COVID-19 outbreaks were declared in the past day. There are now 10 active outbreaks across Waterloo Region.
Another nine infections were confirmed as variant of concern cases, bringing the total number of variant cases to 4,776.
Waterloo Region's variant breakdown is as follows:
The region's variant breakdown is as follows:
- 3,121 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, 281 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
Meanwhile, health partners in the region administered 3,181 COVID-19 vaccine doses on Wednesday, bringing the total number of jabs put into arms to 776,426.
More than 72 per cent of the eligible population is fully vaccinated, while 83.38 per cent of residents 12 and older have received at least one dose.
Province-wide, the daily case count jumped back above the 200 mark. Health officials confirmed 213 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday.
Ontario's rolling seven-day average now sits at 198, a spike from 165 at this time last week.
With files from CTV Toronto.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
CFIA monitoring for avian flu in Canadian dairy cattle after U.S. discoveries
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is encouraging veterinarians to keep an eye out for signs of avian influenza in dairy cattle following recent discoveries of cases of the disease in U.S. cow herds.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.
After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
Vancouver firefighter in rehab at home after losing leg to flesh-eating infection overseas
A family trip took a frightening turn for Christopher Won when he was diagnosed with flesh-eating disease while in Hong Kong and now, after weeks of treatment overseas, the Vancouver firefighter is back home recovering.
WATCH Video shows dramatic police takedown of carjacking suspects chased through parking lot north of Toronto
Police have released video footage of a dramatic takedown of a group of teens wanted in connection with an attempted carjacking in Markham earlier this month.
WHO likely to issue wider alert on contaminated cough syrup
The World Health Organization is likely to issue a wider warning about contaminated Johnson and Johnson-made children's cough syrup found in Nigeria last week, it said in an email.
Advocacy groups speak out against domestic violence comments by Nova Scotia minister
Several Nova Scotia groups that assist women are speaking out against comments on domestic violence by Justice Minister Brad Johns, and at least one is calling for his dismissal.