Peterborough Public Health reported nine new cases of COVID-19, and more presumed variant-of-concern cases over the last 24 hours on Friday.
According to the health unit’s COVID-19 tracker website at 4:05 p.m. Friday, there are now 82 active cases in the health unit’s jurisdiction of Peterborough, Peterborough County, Curve Lake First Nation and Hiawatha First Nation. There were 76 active cases reported on Wednesday.
The cases come as the region moves to the province’s “red — control” zone designation under it’s COVID-19 response framework beginning Monday, shifting from “yellow — protect.”
Most of the new cases are linked to the evolving outbreak declared Saturday at the Severn Court Student Residence in Peterborough’s west end with Fleming College and Trent University students. As of Friday morning, the health unit reported 45 COVID-19 cases including 34 identified as variants of concern were linked to the outbreak.
The health unit’s first variant of concern was the B.1.1.7, first detected in the United Kingdom, which was reported on Feb. 23.
There are now 609 resolved cases out of the 700 cases since the pandemic was declared — approximately 87 per cent. There were 606 resolved cases reported on Thursday.
A new outbreak was also declared Friday at Regency Retirement Home in Lakefield — case details were not immediately available.
Get weekly health news
Other active outbreaks include:
- Empress Gardens Retirement Home in Peterborough: Declared Feb. 26 after a staff member tested positive
- Trent Champlain College student residence: Declared March, 4, Trent University lists nine active cases of students in residence.
The pandemic has claimed the lives of nine residents — three of them associated with a November 2020 outbreak at Fairhaven long-term care.
Testing
On Friday, the health unit reported that more than 44,000 people have been tested for the novel coronavirus. To get tested for COVID-19, book an online appointment. Testing for those without symptoms or with mild symptoms is held at the Northcrest Arena in Peterborough.
Comments