Weekend sees sharp rise in COVID-19 cases in KFL&A Public Health area
COVID-19 cases rose sharply throughout the Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox & Addington (KFL&A) Public Health region over the weekend. Between Friday, Dec. 4 and Sunday Dec. 6, 2020, Public Health confirmed a total of 29 new infections in the area area, bringing the number of active local cases to an all-time high of 53.
“Our local data indicates that COVID-19 cases in our area are at the highest levels to date, confirming the upward surge of this virus and we are projecting much higher levels unless we take more action to curb its spread,” said Dr. Kieran Moore, Medical Officer of Health at KFL&A Public Health on Monday, Dec. 7, 2020.
At the time of their reporting 10 of the cases were indicated as the result of close contact with another known case of COVID-19. The transmission source for the remaining 19 infections was announced as under investigation.
On Monday, Dec. 7, 2020, KFL&A Public Health released a statement indicating that transmission is occurring during close, unprotected contact between individuals in work and social settings. That includes at large gatherings where physical distancing is limited, and face coverings are not being worn, they said.
Thirteen of the cases announced over the weekend are female and 16 are male. Two healthcare workers, as well as three children under 10 years-old are among the infected. One case is reported in Central Frontenac, one in South Frontenac and one in Loyalist County.
Public Health also pointed out on Monday, Dec. 7, 2020, that three individuals over 80 have recently contracted the virus, urging protection for the community’s vulnerable.
“As much as possible, those at higher risk from COVID-19 should stay home, limit social interactions to those in your household, and avoid trips outside the home by getting groceries and medicine delivered or having a family member or friend deliver essential items to your doorstep,” said KFL&A Public Health. “If you are an employer, increase opportunities for those most at risk to work from home.”
Two more cases in Queen’s community
Queen’s University added two further cases to their COVID-19 community dashboard over the weekend as well, which are also counted by KFL&A Public Health. This brings the total number of known active cases at Queen’s to six for the week ending Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020. All six cases are off-campus.
The six Queen’s cases are the first reported at the university after a four-week period that saw only one confirmed infection. There have been no infections in campus residences since the week of Monday, Sep. 28, 2020.
Since the end of August, there have been 34 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the Queen’s University community, about 22 per cent of the Public Health region’s 157 total cases during that same period. Nine of the cases in the Queen’s community have been identified in residence, and 25 of them off-campus.
The most recent information on confirmed active COVID-19 cases in the KFL&A Public Health region can be found here.