Whitby reports 31 new cases as COVID-19 numbers drop in Durham while hospital cases on rise

Some mixed messages on the COVID front in Durham Region Thursday, with new case counts down for the second day in a row (but still high at 114), hospital cases on the rise but outbreaks in long-term care homes nearly all resolved.

Whitby, which has seen its case counts yo-yo over the past three days, led all communities with 31 cases. The town reported 18 Wednesday and 54 Tuesday. Pickering was at 29 – down from 37 the previous day -while Ajax also saw its new cases drop. Oshawa, with 21 new cases reported Thursday, is much improved from the 60 cases it reported Tuesday.

Brock reported zero new cases Thursday.

The active case count in the region is 652, up 38 from the previous day. Hospital cases have been climbing all week and now stand at 31. There are still two in ICU.

There are four official outbreaks in Durham retirement residences but only two Durham residents are currently isolating.