A second case of COVID-19 has been identified as a probable variant of concern by Huron Perth Public Health. Genomic sequencing is needed to confirm that it is a variant of concern and which variant it is. Genomic sequencing will take at least two weeks to complete. Five new cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in Huron Perth Thursday, all in Stratford. The outbreak at Stratford Jail has been declared over. There are 21 active cases. Two people are in hospital. 50 people have died in Huron and Perth due to COVID-19.
Meantime, a media release from the Avon Maitland District School Board said the Ministry of Education's voluntary, asymptomatic testing clinics will be held for staff and students of the Avon Maitland and Huron Perth Catholic District School Boards. These clinics will be held throughout Huron and Perth counties in the coming weeks. The first clinic will be offered this Saturday from 9am to 1pm in Stratford at St Michael Catholic Secondary School.
The Grey Bruce Health Unit added four new cases of COVID-19 Thursday, and reported 15 active cases. One person is in hospital. Two of the new cases are located in Meaford, one in Southgate and one in Hanover. The outbreak continues at Bruce Lea Haven in Walkerton. Two people have died in Grey Bruce from COVID-19.
Public health officials in Wellington County added one new cases of COVID-19 to the confirmed list today, and also reported a new fatality. There have now been 34 deaths related to the pandemic. Two long term care outbreaks continue in Wellington County, at Royal Terrace in Palmerston, and Wellington Terrace in Fergus.
Wellington Dufferin Guelph Public Health reported 14 new cases across the region today, and there are 5 hospitalizations, including two in the ICU. So far 23,903 doses of vaccine have been administered.
