Three new COVID-related deaths in Durham; other numbers continue to show positive signs

COVID-19 numbers in Durham Region continue to decline except in one crucial category: deaths. Most weeks see one person die from the virus, sometimes two. Last week there were three new deaths.

Hospitalizations are up a tick as well to 37 (from 35), with two in ICU (from three).

The rest of the numbers continue to show promising signs we are almost free of the deadly virus that has plagued us for two and half years and killed 510 people in Durham. For the week of September 11 to 17, new case totals declined to 252 from 301; the weekly incidence rate dropped to 34.4 per 100,000 from 41; and the per cent positivity rate fell from 8.8 per cent to 8.6 per cent.

There are 10 outbreaks in hospitals in local institutions like long term care homes, retirement centres and hospitals, down slightly from the previous week’s 11. For the second straight week, none of the outbreaks are in hospitals and for the first time in many weeks, there are no outbreaks at Hillsdale Estates in Oshawa, which has experienced two dozen outbreaks in the past 18 months.