Earlier this week, the Waterloo Region logged the most daily cases of COVID-19 among any region in the province Ontario.
While the daily number of COVID-19 cases has been on the decline across the province, local health officials reported 53 new cases within the region last Sunday. The Region also logged the most daily cases in all of Ontario last Wednesday and Friday.
The first COVID-19 related death of a Waterloo resident who was fully immunized happened earlier this week. The resident, who was in her 90s, lived at Kitchener’s Village of Winston Park long-term care home, which is now in the midst of a COVID-19 outbreak.
The Delta COVID-19 variant (B.1.617) is confirmed to be the dominant strain in the Region.
As a result of the rise in COVID-19 case counts, the Region has accelerated their vaccination efforts. Anyone who received a first mRNA dose on or before May 30 can book an early appointment to receive their second dose.
According to officials, the province is planning to bring pop-up vaccination clinics to high-priority neighbourhoods in Waterloo Region. The clinics will likely accept both walk-ins and appointments, and will offer both first and second COVID-19 vaccine doses.
On Wednesday, an enhanced booking system for COVID-19 vaccines officially launched in Waterloo Region. An upgrade from the regular booking systems, the new system will allow residents to instantly schedule their first dose appointments, rather than pre-registering in advance.
Anyone who is eligible for their second dose can rebook their appointment using the new system, and anyone over the age of 12 can use the self-serve option to book their first vaccine. The new system will also cancel a prior appointment once a new one is made.
Health officials have clarified that it is safe to mix the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines for first and second doses and have encouraged people to take the first mRNA vaccine that is available to them.
As of June 23, Waterloo health officials have confirmed 17,139 total cases of COVID-19, including approximately 260 deaths. Approximately 522 cases are considered active in the region.
Kaitlyn Severin
Student Journalist of the Year - JHM award winner, Kaitlyn has worked previously as The Cord’s senior news editor. She’s also published articles for VICE and Shameless.