COVID numbers still looking promising; one new death in Whitby reported

With 97, 73 and 70 new cases in Durham Region over the past three days, the COVID-19 crisis is still hanging around, but most signs continue to point to a positive resolution.

Considering the province has fast-tracked its re-opening plan, with 100 per cent capacity returning to indoor venues of all sizes and mandatory vaccination requirements being lifted as of Tuesday, we should all hope that the signs are accurate.

The active case count in the region did not drop, however, climbing slightly to 436 from 412; but there were two important indicators tracking in the right direction: Hospitalization numbers fell to 24 as of Saturday (still six in ICU) and the number of outbreaks in long-term care homes and retirement residences is now just four, with 14 people affected. The only outbreak of concern is at Abbeylawn in Pickering, which is still at nine.

There was one more death reported in Whitby Sunday.

Whitby reported the highest number of new cases on both Friday (24) and Saturday (21), while Oshawa led Sunday’s totals with 17. Clarington also reported 24 new cases Friday.