COVID-19 infections appear to be on decline in Waterloo region: Dr. Hsiu-Li Wang

COVID-19 infections in Waterloo region have started to decline, says the region's medical officer of health.

Data from wastewater samples tested for COVID-19 gene signals in Kitchener, Waterloo and Cambridge, specifically the Galt wastewater station, showed infections are going down, Dr. Hsiu-Li Wang said during a media briefing on Friday.

As well, the percent positivity for people who can receive a PCR test for COVID-19 has gone down, Wang said, noting 18 per cent of all tests sent into labs from the region in the past week have come back positive for the virus.

Looking ahead to Monday, when some pandemic restrictions will be lifted in the province, Wang said it's important the reopening is done in a cautious manner to protect the health-care system, keep schools open and keep businesses open.

Wang also thanked people who have been vaccinated against COVID-19 and who have followed public health guidelines.

"We are getting through this together and we will get through this together," she said.

133 people in hospital with COVID-19

The wastewater surveillance data, which is monitored by University of Waterloo researchers,was updated on the region's website on Friday, showing a decline at all three sites.

The dashboard said the gene signal for the COVID-19 virus seems to have peaked in early January, but it "still remains high relative to previous waves." Omicron remains the dominate variant, the wastewater dashboard said.

Region of Waterloo Public Health's dashboard showedthere were 133 people infectious with COVID-19 in Waterloo region's three hospitals as of Friday, a drop of 11 cases from the day before. There were 24 people in the intensive care unit. The region notes people in ICU may no longer be infectious, but do require ongoing care.

The region reported one new death of a person with COVID-19, a woman in her 90s. Her deathbrought the total number of COVID-related deaths in the region to 348.

There were 76 active outbreaks in the region:

• 35 in long-term care and retirement homes.
• 27 in congregate settings.
• 14 in hospitals.

The region is not currently tracking outbreaks in schools, child care facilities, universities and colleges orworkplaces.

The region's vaccine dashboard showed 78.31 per cent of the population have received two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.

It also showed53.2 per cent of children aged five to 11 have their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine while 17per cent have two doses.

Here are active outbreaks in long-term care and retirement homes. Note: There are four pages to the table.