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York Region breaks single-day record high with 251 COVID-19 cases

All-time-high provincial testing over the past few days may have resulted in higher daily case numbers, a regional spokesperson says
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As York Region approaches the 14-day mark since it was moved into the red control zone by the province, it has hit a single-day high of new cases with 251 confirmed Nov. 29.

The previous recorder break since the pandemic began was Nov. 10, with 187 new cases confirmed. During the first wave of the pandemic, the highest single daily case count was 70 cases on April 13.

"The 251 cases reported today is an unfortunate all-time high for York Region," said regional spokesperson Patrick Casey. "While this will be studied further, initial reaction appears record-high provincial testing over the past few days has resulted in higher daily case numbers."

On Saturday, Nov. 28, Ontario reported a record high of 55,086 tests, however, an even higher number — 56,219 tests — were awaiting results.

Today, Nov. 29, the province reported another 53,959 tests were completed, with 38,724 awaiting results.

The total number of cases in York Region as of today is 10,880, of which 1,168 are active. Nearly 1,200 new cases have been confirmed in the last seven days alone.

Testing numbers have dropped in York Region, with 15,239 collected Nov. 22 to 28, compared to 17,529 the previous week when the region entered the red control zone. The highest number of tests collected to date was 18,556 from Sept. 27 to Oct. 3, when the positivity rate was 2 per cent. The positivity rate has steadily climbed until it hit 6 per cent Nov. 8 to 14. 

Newmarket's daily case count has dipped and soared in recent weeks, after hitting a second-wave high of 15 cases Nov. 24. Today, nine more cases bring the total cases to 545, of which 52 are active, with 52 cases confirmed in the last seven days.

Testing numbers have also dropped for Newmarket residents, according to public health data for Nov. 22 to 28, with 1,110 tests done. The highest number was 1,911 collected Sept. 27 to Oct. 3.

York Region was successful in avoiding being moved into lockdown with Toronto and Peel following a letter sent to the premier Nov. 19 from regional chairman Wayne Emmerson and medical officer of health Dr. Karim Kurji.

Last Thursday, Nov. 26, at a York Region council meeting, Kurji said a decline in new cases this week will likely be crucial to avoid further restrictions being imposed by the province.

“Next week will probably be a very critical week to see how our cases do because that is the ultimate indicator of where we are headed.”

The medical officer of health said he was expecting to see a decline in cases after Nov. 26 to 28, which corresponds to the 10 to 12-day COVID-19 exposure period following the move into the additional restrictions in the red control zone. 

However, there were 163 new cases Nov. 26, 166 cases Nov. 27, 183 Nov. 28, and the record-breaking 251 today.


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Debora Kelly

About the Author: Debora Kelly

Debora Kelly is NewmarketToday's editor. She is an award-winning journalist and communications professional who is passionate about building strong communities through engagement, advocacy and partnership.
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