2nd local COVID-19 death announced in Kingston region, 135 active cases

A woman in her 80s has died as a result of COVID-19 in the Kingston region over the weekend, the local health unit says.

This is the KFL&A region’s second death related to the pandemic so far.

The region’s first death took place in early January of this year.

The news came out Sunday, as the health unit reported 17 new cases, with a total of 135 active cases.

This is the Kingston region’s highest active case count since the pandemic began.

Monday, the health unit said that Kingston’s case counts are being driven up by variants of concern.

The community’s incidence rate stands at nearly 55 per 100,000, which would put the region in the province’s red-protect level. About 1.5 per cent of tests are coming back positive for COVID-19, a rate that would put Kingston in the orange-restrict level.

“KFL&A Public Health’s investigations have revealed transmission is occurring during close, unprotected contact between individuals in work settings (including outdoors) and social gatherings where physical distancing is limited, and face coverings are not being worn,” the health unit said Monday.

Although most cases are being found in people between the ages of 18 and 29, the health unit says everyone must remain diligent to fight the spread of the virus.

There are also two people in hospital with the disease, but they are not in intensive care units.