COVID-19 cases in Durham Region take dramatic jump as fears of new wave rise

The hope for all Durham Region residents as we prepare to give thanks this holiday weekend is that the numerous shots in the arms we received over the past two years are still working as another COVID-19 wave appears to be sweeping the region.

New cases have skyrocketed to 144 from just six two weeks ago and there are 47 patients in hospitals with the virus – double the previous period – with another 35 “under investigation” and one patient in intensive care.

Outbreaks at retirement centres, hospitals and long-term care homes jumped to 13 from five, with two at Lakeridge Health Ajax. The weekly incidence rate (per 100,000 population) also more than doubled in two weeks, going from 9.0 to 19.6, while the per cent positivity rate went up from 11.0 per cent to 19.6 per cent.

The sharp spike in numbers comes as hospitals around Durham and the GTA return to mandatory masking policies in patient areas.

The number of deaths from the virus, thankfully, has remained at zero.