Haldimand-Norfolk resident dies of COVID-19

A resident of Haldimand-Norfolk has died of COVID-19.

The health unit confirmed the news late on Friday.

The resident had been living in the community prior to hospitalization," spokesperson Matt Terry said in a media release.

No further details were provided about the deceased, with the health unit citing privacy concerns.

I'd like to extend my sincerest condolences to the individual's family and friends at this difficult time," says Dr. Shanker Nesathurai, Haldimand-Norfolk's medical officer of health.

COVID-19 remains present in our community, which is why we must continue to be vigilant in preventing its spread, particularly to those most vulnerable to complications from the disease."

This death marks the 33rd fatality attributed to COVID-19 in the two counties. The majority of the deaths came during the Anson Place outbreak, which saw the virus claim 27 residents of the Hagersville long-term care centre.

One migrant farm worker, Juan Lopez Chaparro of Mexico, died as a result of a COVID-19 outbreak at Scotlynn Group's Vittoria farm.

No information has been released about the remaining five deaths.

The health unit also lists five non-COVID related" deaths on its COVID-19 tracker. This refers to patients who had the disease at the time of their death but were determined to have died of other causes.

There are 47 active cases of COVID-19 in Haldimand-Norfolk, of 719 total infections since the pandemic began.

The health unit says 634 patients have recovered.

J.P. Antonacci's reporting is funded by the Canadian government through its Local Journalism Initiative. The funding allows him to report on stories about the regions of Haldimand and Norfolk.