COVID-19 numbers continue to fall across Durham Region as vaccinations continue to work their medical magic on local residents.

There was one death from the virus this past week – the same as the previous reporting period – but all other signs were positive as we climb our way out of the pandemic. The number of new cases fell once again, this time to 155 from 229, and hospitalizations dropped from 25 to 14. For the first time in months, there are zero COVID patients in ICUs.

The weekly incidence rate (per 100,000 people) dropped significantly from 31.2 to 21.1 and the per cent positivity rate fell from 9.3 per cent to seven percent. The number outbreaks at Durham long term care homes, hospitals and retirement residences remined constant at eight, with none at local hospitals.