More than half of us are fully vaccinated, but cases stay high

The pace of vaccination is falling off, but Waterloo Region still hit a milestone Saturday, fully vaccinating almost 51 per cent of the total population against COVID-19 while new infections trend down.

This region trails Ontario slightly in full vaccinations. It has moved slightly ahead of the province in first-dose coverage. Ontario has fully vaccinated almost 53 per cent of the total population with two doses each.

New daily cases in the region have dropped almost twothirds since peaking June 16. But even with this decline the region is a hot spot, seeing daily cases at four times the Ontario rate. Waterloo Region reported 53 COVID-19 cases over the weekend.

Variants of concern cases reached 4,404, up just three from the previous day and a total of 10 over the weekend. Hospitalizations remained at 23, including 13 people in intensive care. Ten outbreaks were active, down three from Friday. Five were in workplace or facility settings.

Deaths remained at 280. The number of fully vaccinated residents has reached 295,466. The number of unvaccinated residents aged 12 and older who have yet to receive a first shot has declined to an estimated 99,007. Children younger than 12 are not yet eligible for vaccination.

Meanwhile, the pace of vaccination is falling off here and in Ontario, pointing to a challenge as the rollout targets people who are more hesitant. Fewer than 700 residents got their first doses Saturday; almost 90 per cent of shots given were second doses.