Outbreak declared at Kitchener restaurant as region adds 40 new COVID-19 cases Monday

There are six cases of COVID-19 at a Kitchener restaurant, but regional health officials say there could be many more people who were exposed to the virus.

The region issued a news release on Monday also advising anyone who went toAlgarve Restaurant, located at 248 Stirling Avenue S. in Kitchener, between October 28 to November 4 may have been exposedto COVID-19.

There are six confirmed cases associated with an outbreak at the restaurant and "approximately 175 individuals may have been exposed," the region's release said.

"Public health is advising anyone who attended during these times to monitor themselves for symptoms for 14 days after their last visit and to seek testing," the release said.

The restaurant has closed voluntarily because of the outbreak and is working with public health officials, the region said.

40 new cases

There are 40 new cases of COVID-19 in Waterloo region as of Monday, public health reports.

That brings the total number of new cases in November to 238. Since March, the region has reported 2,392 cases.

There are 210 active cases with five people listed as being in hospital. The number of COVID-related deaths remains at 121. A total of 2,061 cases, or 86 per cent, have been marked as resolved.

The region reports that testing partners have done more than 179,100 tests this year.

On Monday, Ontario reported1,242 cases of COVID-19 and13 more deaths linked to the illness.

11 outbreaks

There are currently 11 active outbreaks in the region. In addition to Algarve Restaurant, the outbreaks include:

• Four long-term care or retirement homes. In each case, one staff member has tested positive for COVID-19. So far, no one living at any of the homes has tested positive.
• Onein a general office setting where there are four cases.
• One in a manufacturing or industrial workplace where there are eight cases.
• One associated with a wedding where there are 20 cases. Public health has said the majority of people linked to this outbreak do not live in the region.
• One outbreak is at Avenue Road Public School in Cambridge where there are two cases.
• Two child cares are reporting one case each.