Another death, three more confirmed U.K. variant cases

WATERLOO REGION — Another person died of COVID-19 in Waterloo Region.

The total number of deaths reached 223 in the Thursday update by public health. The latest death was a man in his 90s.

Confirmed cases hit 10,537 with an increase in 69 cases reported.

A total of 67 variant cases have been identified in the region, including three more confirmed cases of the U.K. variant to reach seven.

Active cases jumped by 41 to 357. Hospitalizations increased by six to 32, including seven people requiring intensive care.

Outbreaks decreased by one to 21.

A total of 29,847 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine had been administered by Wednesday.

The number of people who have been fully vaccinated is 13,116, which is 2.23 per cent of the population.

New vaccine registration for priority groups

People eager to get their COVID-19

vaccine rushed to take advantage of the region’s new online registration system, launched on Wednesday afternoon for priority groups.

In the first couple hours, an average of about 500 people were registering each hour. More than 4,250 people signed up by 8 a.m. Thursday morning.

Registration is open to groups eligible in the first phase of the province’s vaccine rollout plan, including people 80 and older.

Registration means people will be contacted for a vaccine appointment, by their preferred method of email, phone or text.

People can pick the option to come to a clinic on short notice if vaccines become available at the end of the day.