2 more COVID-19 related deaths reported in the region along with 90 new cases

Region of Waterloo Public Health is reporting 90 new cases of COVID-19 as of Wednesday, one of itslargest daily increases in cases.

Public health reported two more deaths in the region, both were men in their 80s, according toDr. Julie Emili, associate medical officer of health.

"We continue to see an elevated number of hospitalizations, ICU admissions, and a growing number of outbreaks in long-term care and retirement facilities," she said in an email statement to CBC News.

"Hospitalizations and, sadly, deaths are lagging indicators which means we start to see increases in these areas a few weeks after we have a rapid acceleration of cases," she added.

Since March, there have been a total of 139 COVID-19 related deaths in the community.

'One of our largest daily increases'

Wednesday's update bringsthe total number of cases for December in the region to 1,085.

"We are also reporting one of our single largest daily increases in cases today," Emili said.

"Residents should consider COVID-19 to be widely circulating in the community."

Also reported Wednesday:

• 486 active cases, up 18 from Tuesday.
• 37 people in hospital.
• 31 active outbreaks.

Ontario alsoreported2,139 newcases of COVID-19 and 43 more deaths from the illness.

Booking COVID-19 test online at CMH

Cambridge Memorial Hospitalis now offering online booking for COVID-19 tests. Appointments can be bookedany time, as well as rescheduled or cancelled online.

Hospital officials saidappointments can also be booked by phoneMonday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Weekends and holiday hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The office will be closed Dec. 25.