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th ei fp .c a Th e IF P -H al to n H ill s | T hu rs da y, D ec em be r 17 ,2 02 0 | 22 sleep dentistry available New Patients Welcome Family and Cosmetic Dentistry Marketplace dental Centre Georgetown Marketplace Mall 905-877-CARE (2273) • www.georgetowndental.com HOURS: Monday & Wednesday 8:00am - 8:00pm • Tuesday & Thursday 8:00am - 6:00pm • Saturday 8:00am - 3:00pm Proudly Serving Georgetown Since 1994. royalpizzageorgetown.com 134 Guelph St, Georgetown (905) 877-2277 Tuesday to Thursday / 4p.m. to 1a.m. Friday & Saturday / 4p.m. to 3a.m. Sunday / 4p.m. to 10p.m. Seasons Greetings Celebrating the holidays will have to be different this year. With more than 1,500 new infections across Halton in the month of November alone, the highest since the pandemic started, Dr. Hamidah Meghani, Halton Region's Medical Officer of Health, warns residents -- in a video update -- about the significant risks that any group gatherings pose. "These gatherings can result in many new COVID cases. They can lead to people having to isolate for up to two weeks. They can put pressure on our health-care sys- tem. They can put lives at risk," she said in the video, while reminding people to follow public health measures -- including wear- ing masks in all indoor public places and when physical distancing is not possible. She hopes people will consider holding virtual holiday gatherings and continue to work together and make safe and responsi- ble choices to reduce the spread of CO- VID-19. As for the weekly cases, data from the website of Halton Public Health shows that, from Dec. 3 to Dec. 9 , there were 385 new infections across the region, down from the 645 logged the previous week. The number of active cases stood at 347 with 111 in Oakville, 110 in Milton, 105 in Burlington, and 21 in Halton Hills. There were also 37 resolved cases. The illness also claimed more lives, mostly in long-term care and retirement homes. As of Dec. 9, there have been 4,253 confirmed and probable COVID-19 cases in Halton since the pandemic started, with 3,751 considered resolved and 75 deaths. NEWS Here's a weekly roundup of COVID-19 cases and news. Metroland file photo WEEKLY ROUNDUP: HALTON'S TOP DOCTOR CAUTIONS AGAINST HOLIDAY GATHERINGS BAMBANG SADEWO bsadewo@metroland.com