55 new COVID-19 cases, 5 more deaths reported Monday in Waterloo region

On Monday, Region of Waterloo Public Health reported 55 new COVID-19 cases and five more deaths in the region.

That brings the total of COVID-related deaths in the region to 163.

Active cases dropped by 48 to 563. Since March, there have been 5,650 cases in the region.

There 37 people hospitalized with the infection, with 12 in the intensive care unit.

26 outbreaks

Two more people have died at Cambridge Country Manor, a long-term care home grappling with an ongoing outbreak that has so far claimed the lives of 12 people.

A total of 60 residents and 61 staff have tested positive since the outbreak was declared earlier this month on Dec. 8.

Two more people also died at Village of Winston Park retirement home, raising the number of COVID-related deaths to three. A total of 24 residents and 21 staff have tested positive for the virus at the home.

New outbreaks have been declared at PeopleCare Hilltop Manor and Chartwell Westmount long-term care with one case each.

There are outbreaks at seven other long-term care or retirement facilities in the region.

Other outbreaks include:

• One at a congregate setting.
• One at a retail store.
• Two at dental offices.
• One at a restaurant.
• One at a gym.
• Two at manufacturing workplaces.
• One at Wilfrid LaurierUniversity.

There are outbreaks at Franklin Public School, Stanley Park Public School and Lincoln Heights Public School with three cases each. St. Daniel's Catholic School is also dealing with an outbreak with two cases. All in-person classes are cancelled until Jan. 11, as part of Ontario's province-wide lockdown.

Grand River Hospital and St. Mary's General Hospital continue to deal with ongoing outbreaks.

The outbreak declared earlier this month at the Waterloo Heights independent living facilityis over. One person died.