Active case counts in Durham down dramatically; one new COVID death in Pickering

Active case counts – likely by ‘adjustment’ or possibly clerical error – took a dramatic nosedive yesterday, with 5,336 reported in Durham Region, down 3,231 from Sunday’s numbers.

The new case count rose slightly to 189 and there was one death reported, from Orchard Villa Long Term Care Home in Pickering, bringing the number of people who have died from the virus in Durham to 409.

The number of institutional outbreaks is down to 31, with 147 people isolating. That number was above 200 on the weekend. Outbreaks at Hillsdale Estates (42) and Bay Ridges (19) are still high, but they are down from 55 and 28 the day before. Other outbreaks include Orchard Villa (11) and Hillsdale Terraces and Extendicare – both with 10. Lakeridge Health had six different outbreaks totalling at least two dozen people last week, and while there was one fatality all other cases have been resolved.

As far as new cases, Oshawa continues to report the highest number at 63, with Ajax (37) and Whitby (35) the only other communities reporting more than 30.

There is one retail workplace outbreak still not resolved.