518 active COVID-19 cases, 36 outbreaks in Waterloo region as of New Year's Eve

Region of Waterloo Public health is reporting 71 new cases on New Year's Eve, a dip from Wednesday's record-high of 112 cases.

That means there have been 5,899 cases in the region since the start of the pandemic.

Active cases went down by 25, lowering the total to 518.

There are five fewer people in hospital with the infection. Thirty-three people remain hospitalized with 12 in the intensive care unit.

Meanwhile, Ontario is reporting 3,328 new COVID-19 cases, a new daily record-high.

36 outbreaks

There are 36 active COVID-19 outbreaks in Waterloo region as of Thursday.

A new outbreak was declared Wednesday at Franklin Public School's extended day program with two cases.

The school is facing two more outbreaks across its classrooms, one with three cases, another with two.

There are two new outbreaks at St. Dominic Savio Catholic School, one with two cases and another with three.

Two people at Country Hills Public School have also tested positive for the virus.

Workplaces

A recently-declared outbreak at a food processing workplace continues to grow with 42 positive cases. Public health said it will not name the facility because it only feels that is necessary if officials are unable to identify all high-risk contacts.

"The Canadian Food Inspection Agency notes there is no evidence to suggest that food is a likely source or route of transmission of the virus," said Dr. Julie Emili, associate medical officer of health, in an emailed statement to CBC K-W.

An outbreak was declared Wednesday at a restaurant with three cases.

An outbreak at a dentist's office is ongoing with 13 cases. An outbreak declared at a gym on Dec. 22 has11 linked cases.

Long-term care and retirement homes

There are outbreaks at 13 long-term care and retirement homes in the region.

Outbreaks continue at Chartwell Westmount long-term care and Cambridge Country Manor long-term care each with one new case in a staff member.

Other outbreaks include:

• A congregate setting with one case.
• A congregate setting with nine cases.
• A trucking service with two cases.
• A manufacturing workplace with three cases.
• A manufacturing workplace with four cases.
• An office with two cases.
• A retail store with three cases.
• A dental office with two cases.
• A restaurant with three cases.
• A manufacturing workplace with two cases.
• At Wilfrid Laurier with two cases.
• At Grand River Hospital.
• At St. Mary's General Hospital.