Peterborough Public Health lowered the COVID-19 community risk index to low on Wednesday, citing the low rate of COVID-19-related local deaths recently and moderation in cases and hospitalizations.
Low risk is the fourth lowest level on the five-level index. The index had been at the moderate level last week.
Under the low risk level, the health unit advises people to wear masks if you prefer for risk reduction, gather with people as you feel comfortable and enter high-risk settings as you feel comfortable. For those people who are at high risk, masks are still recommended for high-risk indoor public spaces and masked gatherings in small groups or outdoors are recommended.
The health unit reported 54 new PCR lab test confirmed cases over the past week on Wednesday, but there were no new deaths. There are now 346 confirmed active cases in Peterborough city and county, Curve Lake First Nation and Hiawatha First Nation. The tally is considered an underestimate since most people do not qualify for lab tests.
Peterborough Regional Health Centre had 11 admitted patients with the virus as of Thursday.
A new COVID-19 outbreak was declared Monday on Unit A5 at the hospital along with one at Riverview Manor long-term-care home. Princess Gardens Retirement Residence also has an ongoing outbreak.
The jurisdiction has had 135 COVID-19-related deaths since the pandemic began in March 2020.
Only 39,275 residents (28 per cent) have had a booster dose over the past six months.
As of Wednesday, 125,271 residents of the jurisdiction (85 per cent) have had at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine, 121,077 (82 per cent) have had at least two doses
The health unit is running COVID-19 mass vaccination clinics at Peterborough Square for all age groups, with walk-ins accepted. Masks are required at the clinics.
For priority service, appointments for people 12 and older can be booked four days in advance online at covid-19.ontario.ca/book-vaccine/ or by calling 1-833-943-3900.
Some local pharmacies also offer COVID-19 shots.
The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit reported no new deaths, two new hospitalizations and 79 new PCR lab test confirmed cases for the week of Feb. 5 to 11.
There are COVID-19 outbreaks on Units 6E and 1D at the Central East Correctional Centre in Lindsay, Ross Memorial Hospital’s medical north unit, the second floor of Regency Manor long-term-care home in Port Hope and facility wide at the Country Estates Retirement Home in Lindsay.
Ross Memorial Hospital had 10 admitted patients with the virus as of Thursday, up from five a week ago. The Lindsay hospital has a by-appointment-only cold, COVID-19 and flu care clinic operating weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. — call 705-328-6217 first.
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