COVID cases doubled in Durham last week; impact still minimal

The COVID-19 virus is but a shadow of its former self but it still looms over the lives of some Durham residents, with new cases up to 30 – double what it was a week ago.

The weekly incidence rate (per 100,000 population) has also doubled, going from 2.0 to 4.1 for the week of July 30 to August 5. Also on the upswing is hospital patients with the virus (five, from four) and outbreaks at local hospitals, retirement centres and long term care homes (three, from two).

The per cent positivity rate slipped down slightly to 4.6 per cent from 4.8 per cent.

The most important statistic – the number of deaths – remained at zero.

The updates comes as a new variant – dubbed EG-5 – has emerged as the dominant strain in the USA and has now found its way to Ontario.