COVID-19 cases increase as Ontario brings in restrictions

Pembroke – COVID cases are increasing, not only locally with 56 active cases in Renfrew County, but in Ontario and the rest of Canada with the province bringing in capacity limits the week of Christmas.

Renfrew County and District Health Unit reported the total number of infections topped the 1,000 mark on Monday, and as well as two people in hospital and one in the intensive care unit. By Tuesday, there were 1,033 total infections since the pandemic began with 56 active cases and 18 new cases reported that day in the county and district. There have been 11 deaths since the pandemic began.

The province brought in restrictions and capacity limits last week to stem the contagion from the Omicron variant which saw the province record 3,453 new cases on Tuesday, as well as 412 people in hospital and 106 in the ICU. Of those hospitalized, 303 are not fully vaccinated or have unknown vaccination status and 109 are fully vaccinated. As well, the Unity Health hospital network in Toronto has paused non-essential ambulatory care and surgical procedures, with the exception of urgent cases.

As of Sunday, December 19, the province introduced 50 percent capacity limits at restaurants, bars, personal care services, physical fit- ness trainers, retailers – including grocery stores and pharmacies, shopping malls and indoor recreational facilities. As well, dancing is no longer allowed and food/drink services were prohibited at sporting events, concert venues, theatres and cinemas or bingo halls. The province also reduced gathering limits to 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors. Cases in Ontario are higher than they were in December 2020, at a time when the province entered total lockdown. The difference in 2021 is the presence of vaccines and the demand has been increasing dramatically for vaccines and boosters in the province.