12 Anson Place staff test positive for COVID-19, bringing total of connected cases to 23

A dozen workers at Anson Place have tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the number of cases connected to the Hagersville retirement home to 23.

Dr. Shanker Nesathurai, medical officer of health at Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit, says there have been three resident deaths, although he's awaiting confirmation that the third death was from COVID-19.

Eleven residents in total have tested positive, Nesathurai said. Twelve people who work at the home have also tested positive and are isolated at home. As a precaution, he said, other workers there are traveling only between home and work.

Nesathuraisaid no other residents are symptomatic right now.

"Anyone who has symptoms consistent with COVID-19 has had a test," he said during a Wednesday conference call with reporters.

The cases connected to Anson Place make up the majority of the 27 confirmed cases in Haldimand and Norfolk.

It's not the only retirement home in the area with an outbreak. Heritage Green in upper Stoney Creek has three confirmed cases among residents and one among workers, and one resident has died. About two dozen more staff and residents are symptomatic and being tested, said Dr. Elizabeth Richardson, Hamilton's medical officer of health.

Niagara's public health unit has declared anoutbreak at Seasons Retirement Community in Welland, where two residents have tested positive. A resident of Ina Grafton Village in St. Catharines has also died.

There are also COVID-19 cases at Lundy Manor in Niagara Falls, Rapelje Lodge in Welland and Royal Rose Place in Welland.

A recent CBC News investigation shows 32 people have diedso far from COVID-19 in Ontario's nursing and retirement homes.

No other Haldimand or Norfolk retirement homes have confirmed cases of COVID-19, Nesathuraisaid. While people of all ages fall ill from COVID-19,he saidthe elderly are most susceptible.

"The people that are most at risk are the elderly or people with concurrent medical problems."