WELLINGTON COUNTY – COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations have dropped significantly over the last two weeks in the Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health (WDGPH) region.
Cases
As of Nov. 23, there are 102 confirmed active cases in the region, down 29% from 144 on Nov. 16, and a significant drop from a month ago, when there were 256 cases (Oct. 26).
In Wellington County, there are 27 known active cases, down from 47 last week.
In Dufferin County there are 22 active cases (up from 19) and in Guelph there are 51 (down from 73).
Many health officials have previously suggested actual case numbers are likely five times the reported figures.
WDGPH COVID-19 case data as of Nov. 23, 2022.
Hospitalizations
WDGPH’s website has not updated hospital data since Nov. 8, when it stated 25 COVID-positive patients were hospitalized across the region.
On Nov. 23 the Advertiser confirmed that figure has dropped to 15:
- three between the three hospitals in Wellington County (Palmerston, Mount Forest and Fergus);
- two at Headwaters Health Care Centre in Orangeville; and
- 10 at Guelph General Hospital.
None of the hospitalized COVID patients are in an intensive care unit – down from two on Nov. 8.
Vaccinations
The public health dashboard now classifies residents into three categories:
- “up to date” with COVID-19 vaccinations;
- “additional dose recommended;” or
- “initiate population” (those without any vaccinations).
On Nov. 23 public health considered 25.8% of the local population up to date with vaccination, which it defines as having received a vaccine in the last six months.
It recommends an additional dose for 61.1% of area residents, noting they are eligible for another dose and six months has passed since their previous dose. That leaves 13.1% without a dose.
In Wellington County the figures are 26, 59 and 15% respectively.
With colder weather now here, public health officials continue to remind residents to stay up-to-date with vaccinations.
Deaths
As of Nov. 23, a total of 189 deaths across the WDGPH region have been attributed to COVID-19, unchanged from a week ago.
Wellington County residents account for 60 of the COVID-19 deaths in the WDGPH region (unchanged).
Facility outbreaks
There is one active COVID-19 outbreak at health care facilities in the region as of Nov. 23.
An outbreak at Wellington Terrace Long-Term Care Home (Oak Glen unit) in Aboyne was declared on Nov. 21.
