Thread by @GrantRants

Here is your #COVID19 snapshot Niagara:

For the second time in three days, the number of new cases is over 30. 34 for today, 20 yesterday, 39 on Saturday. Dec 3 also saw 30 cases. (thread)

COVID-19 Niagara: New cases per day public.flourish.studio/visualisation/…

Why does this matter? Because Niagara has been holding the line in the low-mid20s for some time, and the past the region's overall infection rate tends to creep up as it did in the early fall gradually rising from single digits to low teens, to low 20s to mid-low 20s.

So one of the things to watch for in the next two weeks as we approach the holidays, is if daily case count creeps consistently over 30 and stays there.

One of the consequences of rising infections is more hospitalizations. When you look at our curve chart, you can see the dramatic rise in hospitalizations in the last few weeks, with 13 people now being treated for #COVID19 at @niagarahealth
public.flourish.studio/visualisation/…

Also moving in the wrong direction is the reproductive number, which has again crept above the red zone threshold. But keep in mind, no one metric will trigger a move from one zone to another:

Niagara COVID-19 reproductive rate public.flourish.studio/visualisation/…

Some metrics, like hospital capacity including bed space and ICU space, remain in the green zone, which has a somewhat anchoring effect, keeping Niagara in #COVID19 orange. But those stats cannot stay that way if the infection rate keeps rising.

There are no new deaths confirmed today. Three Niagara residents with #COVID19 died last week, all over 80.

Niagara COVID-19 Deaths by age public.flourish.studio/visualisation/… Visualised with @f_l_o_u_r_i_s_h

When we look at who is spreading the virus in Niagara, the story remains unchanged: each day, those under 40 represent the bulk of new cases:

Niagara COVID-19 case by age public.flourish.studio/visualisation/…

Other key metrics, including the positivity rate and cases per 100,000, are updated later in the week.

Watch for a full update later today in @StCatStandard.

Be safe, be smart and be kind.

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