Area sees surge in new COVID-19 cases

The number of active COVID-19 cases jumped from 70 to 100 between New Year’s Eve and Saturday, Peterborough Public Health reported, before dropping to 95 Sunday.

There have now been 386 cases of the virus confirmed since March, up from 348 on Thursday. Of those, 286 are listed as resolved. There have been five deaths.

About 39,450 people, or one in four residents of the city and county, Hiawatha First Nation and Curve Lake First Nation, have been tested. There have been 195 cases confirmed in men and 190 in women.

The age group with the highest percentage of cases is 20-29, with about125 cases confirmed. About 90 cases were in people over 60.

COVID-19 testing continues at Peterborough Regional Health Centre and at Northcrest Arena, both by appointment only. To book a spot, visit prhc.on.ca and at peterboroughpublichealth.ca.

The Northcrest Arena clinic is closed until Monday. The PRHC clinic will be closed Friday and will reopen Saturday.

Testing by Peterborough Public Health staff can also be arranged in the home by calling 705-743-1000.

Some people can be tested at the Shoppers Drug Mart at High and Lansdowne streets, by appointment. Call 705-7486141 or email asdm614@shoppersdrugmart.ca to book an appointment.

This is specifically for people who meet certain criteria:

> Residents or workers in longterm-care homes.

> Visitors to a long-term-care home.

> Residents or workers in homeless shelters.

> International students who have passed their 14-day quarantine period.

> Farm workers.

> Self-identified Indigenous people.

Neighbouring areas

The Haliburton Kawartha Pine Ridge District Health Unit reported 11 new cases in the City of Kawartha Lakes on Saturday. There are 27 active cases, with 264 reported since March and 218 reported as resolved.

That brings the active case count to 27, while there have been 264 cases seen in the region since March, 218 cases are considered resolved.

In Northumberland County, the HKPR health unit reported 21 new cases for a total of 257 since March, with 33 active cases. There have been 32 deaths in the health unit’s coverage area.

In Durham, there were 178 new cases reported Sunday, bringing the total active cases in the area south of Peterborough to 992.

One death was reported Saturday, making the Durham death toll 240 since March.

There were 40 people in Durham hospitalized with the coronavirus, with 12 in intensive care. COVID-19 outbreaks have been declared at hospitals in Port Perry and Uxbridge.