67 new cases of COVID-19 reported in Waterloo region Wednesday

There were 67 new COVID-19 cases reported by Region of Waterloo Public Health on Wednesday.

But the region's numbers also showed a drop in active cases, hospitalizations and outbreaks.

There were 503 active cases. As well, there were 52 people in the region'shospitals, a drop of five from a day earlier, with 21 people in the intensive care unit, the same number as Tuesday.

As well, 94 cases were marked as resolved and there were no new deaths reported Wednesday.

The high number of cases locally is due to the wide circulation of the delta variant, also known as the B1617 variant, first detected in India. The variant is highly transmissible and Dr. Hsiu-Li Wang, the region's medical officer of health, said earlier in the week it's expected cases will remain "elevated" for several days.

"Our case rates are not continuing to accelerate, but our situation remains extremely fragile," Wang said Tuesday during a regional committee meeting.

The region's vaccine dashboard reports 75 per cent of eligible people aged 12 and up have received their first dose while 21.7per cent of people aged 18 and older have received both doses.

Ontario reported255 cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday. The province reported that asof Tuesday night, more than 13 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines had been given out.

Earlier in the day, the province reported Toronto had 57 new cases and Waterloo region had 53, but those numbers were from Tuesday evening. Region of Waterloo Public Health reports on numbers as of 12 a.m.

Walk-ins for 1st doses

On Wednesday, the region launched a new online self-booking system for people seeking vaccine appointments, either to book a first dose or change the date of their second dose. There were reports some people had to wait more thanan hour to book an appointment.

As well, three clinics in the region will now offer walk-in appointments for people seeking a first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Harold Tonary, 60, of Kitchener went to one of the walk-in clinics at the Health Sciences Campus building at Kingand Victoria streets in Kitchener on Wednesday.

"Walk-in, that's the only reason," Tonary said when asked why he went to clinic.

He said there was no particular reason why he waited, but it was convenientfor him to go to the walk-in. He says he knew he had to get the vaccine because he wants to travel back to Nova Scotia to see family.

"I feel better now that I got it," he said.

Shirley Hewitt, 64, and her husband Morris,74, of Kitchener also went for their first doses at the Health Sciences Campus.

"I knew it would be chaotic, so that's why we waited, so it wouldn't be so busy," Shirley Hewitt said.

They both said they had seen news reports of lineups at other walk-in clinics, but Morris Hewitt said on Wednesday they had "no problem at all" getting their shots.

Shirley said she was feeling "good" after getting the shot while Morris said he was feeling "perfect."

Shirleyadded everyone should get their shot.

"There's nothing to it," she said.

Variants of concern

The region reported 3,574 cases have screened positive for a mutation or variant. Of those:

• 3,072were the alpha variant, or the B117 variant, first detected in the U.K. This was a rise of two cases.
• 121 were the delta variant, or B1617 variant, first detected in India. This was a rise of five cases.
• 61 were the P1 variant first detected in Brazil, which is unchanged from the previous day.
• 11 were the B1351 variant first detected in South Africa, also unchanged.
• 309 cases have a mutation detected, but more testing is required.

16 outbreaks

There were 16 outbreaks in the region.

Nine were at workplaces:

• Two at trades and related services workplaces: One with six cases, one with two cases.
• Two at retail stores: One with five cases, one with two cases.
• One at an office with eight cases.
• One at a food processor with six cases.
• One at a food and beverage service business with four cases.
• One at an automobile sales and service business with two cases.
• One at a construction site with three cases.

The other outbreaks were:

• One at a congregate setting for people who are homeless over multiple locations with 104 cases.
• One at The Village at Winston Park long-term care home with 10 cases: Six in people living at the home, four in people who work there. There is one death associated with this outbreak.
• Two at other congregate settings with one case at each.
• One at a home childcare with three cases.
• One at Kaljas Home, an independent living facility in Kitchener, with one case.
• One at Grand River Hospital. The number of cases was not released.