COVID cases continue to rise as Kawartha health official calls for vigilance

DAN CEARNS, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, for The Standard

DURHAM/KAWARTHA: COVID-19 is continuing to affect local communities in North Durham and Kawartha Lakes. As of press time, the Durham Region Health Department is reporting Scugog has 71 active cases, including 62 people in home isolation and 9 cases in hospital. Scugog has also had 69 resolved cases.

Uxbridge has 20 active cases listed, including 17 people in home isolation and three people in hospital. Uxbridge has had 147 resolved cases and 22 deaths. Brock Township currently has five active cases, with four people in home isolation and one person in hospital. Brock has had 37 resolved cases to date as well.

Meanwhile, the Haliburton, Kawartha Pine Ridge District Health unit (HKPR) is reporting Kawartha Lakes currently has 38 unresolved cases. Since last week, the number of COVID-19 related deaths in Kawartha Lakes has increased by four, to 36. Kawartha Lakes has also had 259 resolved cases.

With cases rising in the local area, HKPR’s acting medical officer of health, Dr. Ian Gemmill is calling for residents to be extra careful and follow public health measures.

“Please don’t become complacent about this virus. It is very real and has caused deaths in the vulnerable, even in this area,” he said, in a statement.

He also had a message for people who decide to meet up with friends, “If you choose to get together with friends and you get the virus, you could just experience mild symptoms and recover. You could also spread the virus to someone else who is older and more vulnerable, and they may not be so lucky.”

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