Region’s overall COVID totals continue to fall

Public health officials caution we’re not out of the woods yet

Niagara reported 26 new COVID-19 cases Friday as its overall coronavirus numbers continue to inch downward.

Those new numbers from regional public health mean that over the past week there have been 120 new cases across Niagara, down from the 192 recorded in the seven days previous. The number of active cases also dropped on Friday, by three, to 284; by comparison, on Feb. 1 there were 804 active cases.

However, two more deaths were reported, bringing the total since the first death was reported in Niagara back in March 2020 to at least 365 lives lost.

The numbers show continued improvement since Niagara’s caseload spiked in mid-january. However, public health officials warn there is still a ways to go to get the virus under control here.

They urge people to continue to stay home as much as possible, mask up in public and avoid social contacts outside their usual home life.

Niagara Health resumed its vaccination program this week at a temporary clinic at Seymour-hannah Sports and Entertainment Centre in St. Catharines.

Its previous work was paused in January, after only a week, due to a vaccine shortage. So far it has provided 3,423 vaccinations, including 530 second doses, for health-care workers in long-term care, high-risk retirement homes and some hospital staff and doctors.

As well, Niagara Region Public Health has provided 8,795 vaccinations to atrisk seniors. It finished second doses at all long-term-care residences and is nearly half finished at retirement residences designated by the province as high-risk.

As of Thursday evening, Niagara Health reports having 16 COVID-19 patients in hospital care.

Currently, there are 22 COVID outbreaks across the region, down from 39 reported a week ago. That includes several at numerous long-term-care and retirement homes:

In Niagara Falls, at Emerald Retirement Residence on the fourth floor, and Chippawa Creek at Bella Care Residence (second and third floors);

In St. Catharines, at Linhaven nursing home’s Adams and Secord units, Heatherwood Retirement Residence (independent living), Heidehof Home for the Aged, Tufford Manor and Extendicare (first floor) and Garden City Manor;

In Niagara-on-the-lake, at Niagara Long-term Care Residence (Riverview unit) and at Pleasant Manor long-term care and in Lincoln at Albright Manor;

In Pelham at Lookout Ridge Retirement Community; and in Fort Erie at Crescent Park Lodge and Maple Park Lodge in the Blue Jay and Robin units.