There are currently eight patients at Grand River Hospital in Kitchener from outside of Waterloo Region due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Waterloo’s top doctor has issued an order to close many Mennonite churches and schools connected to the region.

There are 127 active cases in Waterloo Region, including three people being treated in hospital.

Waterloo Public Health reported 19 new positive tests for the coronavirus on Tuesday, bringing the total number of COVID-19 cases in the area to 1,815.

Waterloo Region Public Health announced that there have been 14 new positive tests for the coronavirus, raising the total number of cases to 1,553.

There are just 20 active COVID-19 cases remaining in the area, Waterloo Public Health reported in its daily update Thursday.

The 2020 Kitchener Blues Festival is the latest victim of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.