COVID numbers still climbing in Halton Region

COVID-19 numbers continue to rise across Halton Region, with the seven day moving average for new cases and the per cent positivity both up this week.

New cases are averaging 16.6 per day – up from 15 and the third week in a row with spiked numbers – and the per cent positivity rate rose to 22.1 per cent from 20.2 per cent; also the third week in a row with an increase.

Outbreaks at local hospitals, retirement centres and long-term care homes remained steady at an even dozen, with eight patients admitted to hospital with the virus – down two from last week. There are actually 18 patients in hospital who have tested positive; ten of those subsequent to their arrival.

One of Halton’s two wastewater testing sites – Skyway Wastewater Treatment Plant in Burlington – is also continuing showing a signal strength of greater than ten per cent.

The data arrives as residents six and up are now eligible to book their next vaccine booster – as well as a flu shot – at local pharmacies and at regional immunization clinics.