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HB NEWS HALTON HEALTH OFFICIALS URGE CAUTION AS OMICRON CASES RISE MELANIE HENNESSEY mhennessey@ metroland.com The incidence rate of CO- VID-19 infections in Halton is soaring, with local health officials reporting a large increase in numbers driven by the Omicron variant. In fact, Halton associate medical officer of health Dr. Deepika Lobo says said new provincial modelling data is projecting case counts could climb toa stunning 10,000 new infec- tions per day by the end of the year in Ontario. According to Lobo, cases across the region have been “rapidly increasing" since mid-November. “We are now seeing an average of about 64 new cases reported per day," she told regional council dur- Dan Pearce/Metroland Provincial modelling data projects that COVID-19 case counts could climb to 10,000 new infections per day by the end of the year in Ontario. inga Dec. 15 presentation — numbers that haven't been seen since May 2021 during the third wave. With the recent arrival of the Omicron variant, Lo- bo said the incidence rate has "soared" from about 20 new cases per 100,000 resi- dents on Nov. 21, to 64 cases per 100,000 on Dec. 12. "This represents a 224 per cent increase in just three weeks," she said. "This sudden increase in cases has greatly impacted See RESOURCES, page 8 Tal KoNVAn a=W G5") a=) moved ai-Y-Wre (VIMY -Va-Xe Malelal mice Molly ORDER ONLINE @ BLACKCREEKCOFFEE. coM Help support the Acton Foodshare 25 ¢ from each any size Premium Roast Coffee sold will help support the Acton Foodshare. Only for a limited time at the McDonald's restaurant at 274 Quoon Street, Acton, ON. =—_ OPEN KITCHEN RESTAURANT Years YOU'LL LOVE OUR HOMEMADE BREAKFAST, LUNCH AND DINNER. srovaa We make all of Yor favourites! |154 Guelph Street, Georgetown | Woz ‘ez sequissag ‘Aepsinyy | SiH UOWEH- dal OUL | € eordyouy