Waterloo region reports 8 more deaths, 94 new cases of COVID-19 ahead of lockdown

There were eight new COVID-19 related deaths reported in Waterloo region on Wednesday.

That means the virus has contributed to the deaths of 155 people in the region since March, public health reports.

Region of Waterloo Public Health also reported 94 new cases of the virus with the total number of active cases sitting at 611.

There were 38 people hospitalized and 13 of them were in the intensive care unit.

Since the start of the pandemic, there have been 5,287 positive cases in the region.

Ontario reported 2,408 new cases and 41 more deaths on Wednesday ahead of a provincewide lockdown on Saturday.

Nursing home outbreak grows

Public health reported seven new deaths linked to the growing COVID-19 outbreak at Cambridge Country Manor.

A total of nine people who tested positive for the virus have died at thehome.

Its infection rates have surpassed 100 cases with 60 people who live at the home and 54 staff having tested positive since the outbreak began earlier this month.

Meanwhile, the outbreak at the Village at University Gates retirement home was declared over as of Tuesday, bringing the number of total active outbreaks in the region down to 29.

There were active outbreaks reported at seven other long-term care or retirement facilities including Village of Winston Park, wherecase counts remainedunchanged at 23 in residents and 20 in staff.

All three hospitals in Waterloo region have declared outbreaks: Two at St. Mary's General Hospital, one at Cambridge Memorial Hospital and one at Grand River Hospital.

Other outbreaks include:

• One at Waterloo Heights, an independent living facility.
• One at a congregate setting.
• One at a gym.
• Six at a manufacturing/industrial workplace.
• One at a dentist's office.
• One at a trades service.
• One at a construction site.
• One at Wilfrid Laurier University.
• Four in schools including St. DanielCatholic School in Kitchener, Lincoln Heights Public School in Waterloo,Hillcrest Public School in Cambridge and Franklin Public School in Kitchener.