5 COVID-19-linked deaths reported over weekend in Waterloo region

Region of Waterloo Public Health reported five new COVID-19-related deaths over the weekend.

Four deaths were reported Saturday and one on Sunday. That means 203 people who tested positive for the virus have died since March 2020.

Public health said theindividuals were a woman and a man, both in their90s;two menin their 80s and a manin his 60s.

"I wish to express my deep sympathy to the family and loved ones of each individual," saidDr. Hsiu-Li Wang, the region's medical officer of health, in an email to CBC KW.

The region reported 58 new cases on Saturday and 63 on Sunday.

The number of active cases in the region is down by 23, sitting at 565.

There are 37 people hospitalized with the infection with 13 in the intensive care unit.

Ontario is reporting 1,848 new cases of COVID-19 and 43 more deaths on Sunday. The province said 300 cases that were previously unreported were added to the case count on Sunday.

36 outbreaks

There are 36 active outbreaks in the region including 21 in long-term care facilities.

Chartwell Elmira Retirement Residence is grappling with an outbreak that has infected 65 people. There have been three deaths as of Sunday.

There are 15 deaths linked to the outbreak at Chartwell Westmount long-term care, where there has been a total of 137 confirmed cases.

Public health officials said the first reported case of the U.K. COVID-19 variant is connected to an outbreak at Columbia Forest long-term care. The home confirms is was in a staff member who has since recovered from the disease.

Public health said there is no increased risk to the community or long-term care facility.

As of Sunday afternoon, there were 16 cases linked to the facility: 13 cases in staff and three in residents.

There is one new outbreak declared at a Waterloo Region Catholic School Board program with four positive cases.

Other outbreaks include:

• Five at congregate settings: One with 43 cases, one with 10 cases, one with seven cases, one with four cases and one with a single case.
• Two at hospitals: Two at St. Mary's General Hospital (4th and 7th floors).
• Two at office settings: One with three cases and another with six.
• One at a trades setting with six cases.
• One at a warehousing facility with three cases.
• One in a financial institution with four cases.
• One at a manufacturing facility with 35 cases.
• One at Conestoga Meats where the number of cases remained at 161.