Jump of 16 COVID-19 variant cases reported in Waterloo region Thursday

The number of COVID-19 cases that have screened positive for a variant of concern rose by 16 on Thursday to 245, Region of Waterloo Public Health reported.

It comes after public health announced 23 new cases inseveral university studentswho attended social gatherings. Public health says at least one person who has tested positive for COVID-19 has also screened positive for a variant of concern.

The cases from the student gatherings have also led to two cases on the University of Waterloo campus, where an outbreak has been declared.

Of the 245 cases with a variant, 17 have been confirmed to be the B117 variant first detected in the U.K.

The region saw 36 new cases reported Thursday, which brings the total this month to 728 and since the start of the pandemic to 11,430.

There were 313 active cases in the region as of Thursday with 22 people in the hospital and 10 of those people in the intensive care unit.

There were no new deaths of the virus reported.

Ontario reportedanother 1,553 cases of COVID-19 on Thursday.

14 active outbreaks

There are 14 active outbreaks in the region including two at long-term care homes. At both homes, the cases are in staff members.

There are two outbreaks at elementary schools:

• Highland Public School in Cambridge with six cases.
• Crestview Public School in Kitchener with four cases over two cohorts.

The other outbreaks were:

• Three in congregate settings: One with 128 cases, one with 36 cases and one death and one with four cases.
• Two in hospitals: One at Grand River Hospital in Kitchener and one at Cambridge Memorial Hospital.
• One at an independent living centre with one case in a staff member.
• One at a licensed home childcare centre with five cases.
• One at the University of Waterloo with two cases.
• One at an automobile sales and service business with four cases.
• One at a retail store with three cases.