In its first report of 2022, Hastings Prince Edward Public Health says there have been 544 new cases of COVID-19 since December 31.
That number is likely higher however, as PCR testing has been limited to the most vulnerable/highest risk individuals and settings.
There have been 259 resolved cases during that time, leaving 1,323 active cases.
The Public Health dashboard shows 18 people are in hospital with five in the intensive care unit.
The 18 to 29 age group has the most new cases with 129 while 79 cases are among youth 18 and under.
Belleville has the highest concentration of new cases – 246.
There are 146 cases in Quinte West, 51 in Prince Edward County, 59 in Central Hastings, 23 in North Hastings, 13 in the Deseronto area and six on the Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory.
The number of outbreaks has decreased significantly, falling from 38 to 10.
The outbreaks are all at long term care or retirement homes, congregate living facilities as well as one at QHC which the health unit reports involves two cases.
HPEPH now only reports outbreaks in high risk settings.
Because testing eligibility changed on December 30, variant of concern counts will not accurately represent Omicron cases.
However, prior to this change, Public Health says over 90% of new cases were screening positive for Omicron.
In Northumberland Tuesday, the Haliburton Kawartha Pine Ridge District Health Unit reported 83 new cases along with 595 active.
