Oshawa adds 193 to Durham COVID-19 case load, bringing active case count to more than 6,500

After a couple days respite, COVID-19 numbers in Durham are back on an upward swing with 801 new cases, bringing the active case count to 6,528.

Oshawa reported the most new cases with 193, followed by Whitby with 184 and Ajax with 163.

Hospital numbers are once again “temporarily unavailable” from Durham Region’s Health Department, but sources have pegged the number of residents in hospital at about 65, a huge jump from the four listed as of December 30.

What is more concerning is the number of outbreaks in long-term care homes, retirement homes and hospitals, which has grown to 31, with 55 residents isolating. The latter number does not include outbreaks at 12 facilities that has staff and hospital patients who are not Durham residents testing positive.

The biggest outbreak right now is at Hillsdale Estates in Oshawa, which has 14 residents isolating. Hillsdale Estates was the site of a tragic, month-long outbreak between August 26 and September 29 that left eight residents dead.

Other widespread outbreaks in retirement homes include Port Perry Place (12) and Abbeylawn Manor (5).

There are 10 outbreaks in child care centres and 12 workplace outbreaks, including four in food and beverage locations.

Province-wide, hospital admissions have risen to nearly 1,300, with 266 in intensive care.