COVID cases still on the rise in Durham but the rapid pace of late has eased

COVID-19 cases continue to rise, though the rapid pace of the increase in the numbers have slowed down somewhat, with the exception of hospital patients testing positive for the virus.

That number has more than doubled to 31 for the August 27-September 2 reporting period, though the saving grace is there are zero patients in intensive care. The vaccinations are still holding on as well, with zero deaths from COVID once again.

The per cent positivity rate actually decreased slightly from 15.6 per cent to 15.5 per cent but the rest of the underlying numbers are all up a bit. New cases are up to 78 from 73, the number outbreaks at hospitals, long term care homes and retirement centres rose to eight from seven and the weekly incidence rate (per 100,000 population) went from 10.0 to 10.6.

Wastewater signal strength is also high in both the Corbett site in Whitby and the Darlington site in Clarington, though neither site is showing signs that the situation is getting worse. Testing at the two sites only reveal that the virus is present in the community.