Waterloo region reports record high 100 new COVID-19 cases on Christmas Eve

On Thursday, Waterloo region reported a single-day record high of 100 new COVID-19 cases and three more deaths.

As of Christmas Eve, there were a total of 5,387 cases and 158 deaths in the region since the pandemic began.

The individuals were a manin his 70s where the viruscontributed to but was not the main cause of his deathas well as two other men in their 80sdieddue to the infection, according to Region of WaterlooPublic Health.

There are currently 629 active cases in the region.

The number of people hospitalized with the infection remains at 38 with 12 in the intensive care unit (ICU).

"We also continue to see an elevated number of hospitalizations, ICU admissions, and a growing number of outbreaks in workplaces, long-term care and retirement facilities," saidDr. Hsiu-LiWang, medical officer of health, in a statement to CBC News.

"Please act now, ahead of the lockdown. To protect each other, our most vulnerable and our health care system, we must minimize our social interactions. We must avoid all social gatherings now," she said.

Waterloo region, along with the rest of the province, is entering a 28-day lockdown on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Ontario is also reporting a single-day record of 2,447 new COVID-19 cases and 49 more deaths.

29 outbreaks

The outbreak at Cambridge Country Manor nursing home continues to grow with four new cases in staff and one more death reported on Thursday. A total of 60 people living in the home and 58 staff have tested positive for COVID-19 since the outbreak was declared earlier this month. Ten people have died.

Positive cases reportedin staff at Trinity Village retirement home in Kitchener jumped from 2 on Wednesdayto 11 on Thursday.

The outbreak at Village of Winston Park is ongoing with cases in 23 people living in the home and 20 in staff, numbers which have been unchanged for several days.

There are outbreaks at five other long-term care and retirement homes in the region.

All three hospitals in Waterloo region have declared outbreaks: Two at St. Mary's General Hospital, one at Cambridge Memorial Hospital and one at Grand River Hospital.

The outbreak at Stanley Park Public School in Kitchener grew by one increasing the total number of cases to three. There are also reported outbreaks at three other schools in the region including Lincoln Heights Public School, Hillcrest Public School and St. Daniels Catholic School.

Other outbreaks include:

• One at Waterloo Heights.
• One at a congregate setting.
• One at a gym.
• Six at a manufacturing/industrial workplace.
• One at a dentist's office.
• One at a trades service.
• One at a construction site.
• One at Wilfrid Laurier University.