COVID-19 cases continue to drop in Waterloo region, still in a red zone Sunday

Public health is reporting 99 new cases of COVID-19 in Waterloo region over two days thisweekend. There were 35 new infections on Saturday and 64 on Sunday.

That brings the total in December to 401 and 3,987 since March. There are 513 active cases in the region.

Public health reported one new death, which means a total of 127 people in the region have died due to the infection.

At least 30 people are in hospital, 11 of whom are in the intensive care unit.

Waterloo region remains in the "red zone" with no current plans to be moved into lockdown, according to public health.

Ontario reported a new record high of 1,924 COVID-19 cases and 15 additional deaths on Sunday.

Outbreaks

As of midday Sunday, there were 23 active outbreaks in the region including three in schools with two reported cases each in Franklin Public School, Elmira District Secondary School and Clemens Mill Public School.

Linwood Public School will be closed on Monday as a precautionary measure due to community transmission in the area, according toWaterloo Region District School Board.

There are outbreaks at Grand River Hospital and Cambridge Memorial Hospital, which has put one of its units under a "watch status."

On Sunday, officials with Cambridge Memorial Hospital said in a release that two staff members tested positive for COVID-19 on Saturday. The hospital says it's limiting meal deliveries to the affected unit, contact tracing and ensuring safety protocols are being followed.

Public Health also declared an outbreak at St. Mary's General Hospital lateSunday, which was not initially added to the daily total. Five patients and two staff members on the hospital's chest unit have tested positive for the virus.

The outbreak at Village Manor in St. Jacobs continues with 20 residents and 12 staff infected.

Other outbreaks include:

• Two in long term care facilities in Kitchener including Sunnyside LTC and Chartwell Westmount LTC Residence.
• Two in congregate settings such as group homes.
• 12 in workplace andbusiness settings including manufacturing, health care and sports facilities.
• One at BrightPath Childcare Centre.