The region's acting medical officer of health says Friday's record-breaking number of 196 cases might be a reflection of what people did during the holidays.
While there was no immediate breakdown of where the cases were found, Dr. Mustafa Hirji said public health staff have found several cases that can be traced back to family gatherings in the past few days.
"It is very unfortunate," Hirji said.
"We were hoping that we around this time would see the benefits of the shutdown, but instead it seems to be a trend going the opposite way."
Friday's 196 cases follows a steady upward trend in daily cases that has been sharply rising in the past month.
The death toll is up too, with 15 new cases of patients passing away after contracting the virus, on Friday.
Of the 87 residents that have died since December 21st, 70 have been in long-term care
"It is a real illustration of how vulnerable that population is and how they are feeling the hardest impact of the pandemic," said Mustafa Hirji, and reiterated the public's responsibility in bringing the numbers back down.
"The way that happens is through all of us taking to heart the message of staying home, limit our trips outside the home and make sure we get the benefit of this shutdown so it does not last longer than it needs, or that the province takes more intense measures."
