Four new COVID-19 deaths reported in Haldimand-Norfolk

This past week saw a jump in the number of COVID-19 deaths in Haldimand-Norfolk.

Four COVID-related deaths were added to the health unit's COVID-19 statistics website on Wednesday, bringing the total number to 84.

Since March 2020, an additional 25 people have died of other medical reasons while also testing positive for the virus.

While the four new deaths were reported this week, they could have happened earlier as it can take several weeks for the patients' physicians and the medical officer of health to assess whether COVID-19 was the cause of death.

Two residents are currently in hospital due to COVID-19, down from the 22 reported last week. But while none of those 22 were in the ICU, both residents still hospitalized are in intensive care.

There are five active COVID-19 outbreaks at congregate settings in Haldimand-Norfolk, down from 10 last week.

An outbreak at Grandview Lodge, a municipal long-term care home in Dunnville, was declared over on Wednesday.

In a statement, the home said visitor restrictions in the affected unit had been lifted.

Twelve residents tested positive during the outbreak and one died on Aug. 10, according to Grandview.

The health unit did not confirm the death at Grandview or provide any information about the four deaths reported this week, citing privacy concerns.

In an email to The Spectator, Grandview administrator Jennifer Jacob declined to answer any questions about the deceased resident.

The loss of any resident under any circumstance is felt across the home and we want to be sure that we honour their memory and support families during difficult times," she said.

J.P. Antonacci's reporting on Haldimand and Norfolk is funded by the Canadian government through its Local Journalism Initiative. jpantonacci@thespec.com