KITCHENER -- Region of Waterloo Public Health officials reported 52 new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday, the highest number the region has seen in a single day since April.
Back on April 17, officials reported 71 new cases of the disease, the region's online COVID-19 dashboard shows, with 68 of those were connected to outbreaks at long-term care and retirement homes. Wednesday's increase is the highest number of non-outbreak cases that officials have ever reported in one day.
The new infections brings the total number of COVID-19 cases to 2,488. That number includes 2,113 resolved cases, an increase of 28 from the day before but a number still outpaced by the new cases.
When also accounting for the 121 deaths in the region to date, there are 254 active cases in the region. Five of those people are in hospital. That number has risen substantially over the last couple of months: back at the start of September, for example, there were just 42 active cases in the region.
Public health officials declared a new outbreak at a food and beverage services setting in the region on Wednesday. That outbreak, at an unnamed business, has had three cases of COVID-19 linked to it.
It's the second outbreak in one of these settings this week. On Monday, an outbreak was declared at Algarve Restaurant in Kitchener after six cases were linked to that establishment. That number has since risen to 10, and public health officials have issued a public notice after as many as 175 people may have been exposed to COVID-19 between Oct. 28 and Nov. 4.
The number of cases linked to an outbreak at a wedding-related event facility also rose from 20 to 24 on Wednesday.
Infectious disease specialist Dr. Abdu Sharkawy said now is the time for officials to clamp down.
"Right now this is a runaway train and you've got to put the brakes on in a hurry," he said.
There are now a total of 15 active outbreaks in the region.
"I think if Kitchener-Waterloo followed the same guidance that is being put forth in Peel Region right now, it could stand to benefit and help stem the tide before this becomes a real serious problem," Dr. Sharkawy said.
Over the weekend, Peel Region's medical officer of health went beyond the province's colour-coded guidelines, ordering no weddings, birthday parties or celebrations at business establishments until January. Banquet halls are also closed until then and restaurants need to restrict seating to immediate households.
Minto Schneider, CEO of Explore Waterloo Region, said local businesses don't want to see that move. Schneider also said she's worried people are suffering from COVID-19 fatigue.
"Really, if people are wearing their masks and cleaning is going on the way it's supposed to, people are staying in their own bubbles, there shouldn't be the spread we're seeing right now," she said.
Waterloo Region is currently listed at the province's yellow tier.
A spokesperson for local public health said they'll have an update on outbreaks and accelerated case rates on Friday.
ONTARIO SETS ANOTHER RECORD
Waterloo Region's grim milestone comes as public health officials across the province collectively reported the highest number of cases ever.
Wednesday's 1,426 cases surpassed the previous record of 1,388 new cases in Ontario. The daily report brings the province’s total number of lab-confirmed cases to 88,209.
That number includes 74,303 recoveries and 3,275 deaths.
This is a breaking news update. More to come…
