Brant is down to just 10 cases of COVID-19, and no outbreaks at long-term care homes

Brant County and the City of Brantfordare heading toward the single digits when it comes to the number of people with COVID-19.

The Brant County Health Unit, which covers both areas, is reporting that just 10 people haveCOVID-19right now among its population of about 140,000.One person has tested positive in the last week and a half.

This is despite mass testingat a dozen retirementhomes last week, which has turned up zero cases of COVID-19 so far.

Dr. Elizabeth Urbantke, acting medical officer of health, warned people to continue washing their hands and keeping a physical distance of two metres from people outside their own households. She also urged residents to wear face masks when they can'tkeep a physical distance.

"With some businesses opening up again today, and with the number of positive cases decreasing in Brant for three consecutive weeks, it can be easy to become complacent and forget the actions that have got us to this point," she said in a statement.

"We need all residents to keep key guidance in mind to ensure we keep enjoying the same sustained success in our battle with this illness."

The health unit tested 832 residents and 418 staff as part of its sweep of retirement homes. That finished on Friday. The province has ordered all health units to test everyresidentand staff member at a long-term care home.

Unlike Hamilton, Niagara and Haldimand-Norfolk, there are also no institutional outbreaks in Brant/Brantford right now.

Overall, 103 people in Brant/Brantford have tested positive for COVID-19, up one from last week. Of those, 93 people have recovered and three have died. Four are currently in hospital.

Hamilton

There are 599 people in Hamilton who have been sick with COVID-19. Of those, 592 are confirmed and seven are probable. Twenty-seven people have died and 394 have recovered.

That's up from 585 cases of COVID-19 on Sunday, which was an increase of73 from Friday. The weekend increase was largely becauseofan outbreak atThe Rosslyn Retirement Residencenear Gage Park, which wasso severe that the building was emptied.

Dr. Elizabeth Richardson, Hamilton's medical officer of health, says an 84-year-old man who lived atThe Rosslyn died in hospital on the weekend.

Thirty-six people are in hospital with COVID-19 at St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, and18at Hamilton Health Sciences.

Haldimand-Norfolk

The Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit is reporting 206cases of COVID-19, an increase of one since the weekend. Before that, it saw one new case last Wednesday.

Of those, 85people have recovered and 31have died. Twenty-sevenof those deaths were at Anson Place Care Centre in Hagersville.

Halton

Halton has 661cases (587 confirmed, 74 probable), which is an increase of 14 since the weekend. Twenty-five people have died and 486 have recovered.

In Burlington, there are 131cases (115 confirmed, 16probable). Sevenpeople have died and 93have recovered.

One resident at the Brant Centre long-term care home has COVID-19, and two residents at theCreek Way Village long-term care home.

Niagara

Niagara has seen 615confirmed cases of COVID-19. Of those, 446 people have recovered and 58 have died. There are 111 active cases right now.

Three more people tested positive for COVID-19 today, and five yesterday. That means the number of people with the virus doubles every 53 days.

There are outbreaks atAlbright Manor in Lincoln, Kilean Lodge in Grimsby, West Park Health Centre in St. Catharines, Tufford Nursing Home in St. Catharines, Crescent Park Lodge in Fort Erie, Niagara Health's St. Catharines and Greater Niagara hospital sites, Royal Rose Place in Welland and Lundy Manor in Niagara Falls.