The HKPR district health unit region has 5 new COVID-19 cases as of today (Dec 17), with 4 cases in Northumberland County and 1 in Kawartha Lakes.
Meanwhile, Ontario is reporting a single-day record of 2,432 new cases today.
It’s also reporting 23 new deaths.
Health Minister Christine Elliott says there are 737 new cases in Toronto, 434 in Peel Region, 209 in York Region, 190 in Windsor-Essex, and 142 in Hamilton.
In the province’s long-term care homes, 819 residents currently have COVID-19.
And late yesterday (Dec 16), the Ministry of Education asked all school boards to be prepared for the possibility of Winter Break.
It is important to note that NO DECISION has been made on this matter as yet but should the winter break be extended for students in response to increases in COVID-19 cases, schools would provide learning for students to complete at home on these days and will inform parents of any possible change in the status of their schools through their website, direct email and text, news outlets and social media.
The summary of COVID-19 cases in schools can be tracked here: https://www.ontario.ca/page/covid-19-cases-schools-and-child-care-centres.
Meanwhile, Ontario’s hospitals are calling for stricter lockdowns in regions hard-hit by COVID-19 they made the request after discussing hospital capacity issues.
They’re asking the government to implement a four-week lockdown in every region with at least 40-per-100-thousand population infection rate, in order for hospitals do not face a surge in COVID patients in January.
Northumberland also has 44 unresolved cases, compared to 10 for the Kawartha’s and 0 for the Haliburton Region.
High risk contacts now sits at 169 in Northumberland, 25 in Kawartha Lakes and 5 in the Haliburton Region. High risk contacts refers to individuals who are known to have been in contact with a Confirmed or Probable case.
According to the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge (HKPR) District Health Unit that brings the total number of confirmed cases in our health unit region to 419 since the start of the pandemic.
To find out more on local cases, check out https://app.powerbi.com/view?r=eyJrIjoiOTJkYWRmODgtYzg5Ni00MmMyLWIzODgtNDU4ODYxZTVlNzc3IiwidCI6IjdkYzFmZjlkLTA1ZjEtNGNhNi1iYWZlLTIyNmZmNWYxNmJkYSJ9.
And on the weekend (Dec 12/13), new cases among students were reported at Merwin Greer Public School in Cobourg and Northumberland Hills Public School in Castleton, according to the Kawartha Pine Ridge (KPR) District School Board.
There are also cases at other schools, which include:
>Brighton Public School: 1 student case, reported December 11th
>Spring Valley Public School, Brighton: 1 staff case, reported December 9th
>East Northumberland Secondary School, Brighton: 1 student case, 1 staff case, with outbreak declared December 2nd
All schools do remain open. Letters have been sent out by the schools’ principals, stating that the positive cases will remain at home until the health unit advises they may return to school and that the health unit will identify any possible close contacts.
