34 COVID-19 cases reported in Waterloo region Wednesday as active cases drop

Region of Waterloo Public Health reported 34 new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday and one more death of a person with the illness.

It brings the total number of cases this month to 104 and since March 2020 to 9,536.The region has also now reported 206 deaths related to the virus.

The number of active cases of the virus dropped to 434, from 480 on Tuesday. There are 34 people in hospital with 14 people in the intensive care unit.

The region reported8,887 of all cases, or 93 per cent, have been marked as resolved.

Ontario reported 1,172 new cases of COVID-19 and the deaths of 67 more people with the illness on Wednesday.

4 outbreaks in congregate settings

There are currently four outbreaks in congregate settings, which are spaces where people live or stay overnight and use shared spaces. The region has not named any of the congregate settings currently in outbreak.

One outbreak includes eight cases, including four in staff and four in people who live in the setting.

Two other outbreaks include a single case each, and in both situations it's a staff member who has tested positive for COVID-19.

There is one outbreak, identified as "congregate setting 18" that has 47 cases, all in people who stay there. Public health said36 cases are now resolved.

Public health officials saidthere are "multiple locations included as part of this outbreak with clusters of cases associated with each location."

"In order to protect privacy for this vulnerable setting, the locations are not being publicly identified. All high-risk contacts of confirmed cases who require self-isolation and testing are being contacted directly," public health officials said in an email.

Public health is working with the congregate setting "to ensure appropriate infection prevention and control practices are in place and that they have the necessary support."

There is enhanced, regular testing taking place, which is leading to more cases "being detected due to the spread we are seeing in the community in general, and appropriate measures are being put in place to reduce the risk of spread."

16 deaths at Kitchener home

One significant outbreak is at Chartwell Westmount in Kitchener: 72 people who live at the home and 66 people who work there have tested positive for the virus.

The region's most recent death reported Wednesday was a woman in her 90s who lived at this home. That brings the total number of deaths linked to this outbreak to 16.

Dr. Hsiu-Li Wang, the region's medical officer of health, offered her "deep sympathy to the family and loved ones of the individual."

32 active outbreaks

There are 32 active outbreaks. They include the five in congregate settings, the outbreak at Chartwell Westmount, as well as 18 other long-term care and retirement homes.

The other outbreaks are:

• Two at St. Mary's General Hospital in Kitchener (4th floor and 7th floor).
• One at Conestoga Meats where there are163 cases.
• One at a manufacturing workplace with 35 cases.
• One at a trades business with six cases.
• One at a Waterloo Catholic District School Board program with five cases.
• One at an office with four cases.
• One at a financial institution with four cases.
• One at a warehouse with two cases.