Waterloo region reports 1,728 new COVID-19 cases over first 3 days of the year
CBC
In the first three days of 2022, Waterloo region has reported 1,728 new COVID-19 cases.
Broken down by day, there were:
The number of reported cases is likely lower than actual case numbers because not everyone with symptoms is able to get a PCR test to confirm their diagnosis.
On Friday, during a regional media briefing, associate medical officer of health Dr. Rabia Bana said only vulnerable individuals "with significant medical issues" and residents and staff in high-risk settings, such as hospitals, long-term care and congregate living settings, will be eligible for PCR tests under a provincial directive.
"Most individuals with a positive result from a rapid antigen test will no longer be eligible for a PCR test and will not be required or encouraged to get a PCR confirmatory test," she said.
"If you have symptoms of COVID-19 and are not eligible for PCR test and do not have access to a rapid antigen test, you should assume you have COVID-19."
Public health said there were 4,319 active cases of COVID-19 in the region as of Monday.
There were no new deaths reported on Monday. The number of COVID-related deaths in Waterloo region since March 2020 sits at 313.
There were 48 people in the region's three hospitals, infectious with the virus. There were also seven people in the intensive care unit. The region notes people in ICU may no longer be infectious with the virus, but require ongoing, specialized care.
The region also reported 19 active outbreaks in the community, 12 of them at long-term care homes.
The long-term care home outbreaks were:
The remaining declared outbreaks were:
As of Dec. 22, the region stopped reporting new outbreaks at workplaces or facilities.
The region's vaccination dashboard showed 76.26 per cent of all residents have two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. It also shows 45 per cent of children aged five to 11 have received the first dose of the vaccine, which became available in late November.
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