Woman in her 30s is Waterloo region's latest COVID-related death

A woman in her 30s has died after contracting COVID-19, public health says.

The woman's death was reported on the Region of Waterloo Public Health dashboard Wednesday afternoon. Dr. Hsiu-Li Wang, the region's medical officer of health, said the woman had underlying conditions.

"I wish to express my deep sympathy to the family and loved ones of the individual. Although groups such as older adults and those with pre-existing medical conditions are at greater risk for COVID-19, no one is immune to the development of infection, nor the possibility of serious illness and sadly, death," Wang said in an emailed statement.

The woman's death brings the total number of COVID-related deaths in the region to 211.

There were 34 new cases of COVID-19 reported in Waterloo region on Wednesday. That brings the total number of cases this month to 454 and since last March to 9,886. Of those, 9,289 have been marked as resolved.

There are 380 cases, a drop of 20 cases from Tuesday. There are 31 people in hospital with the virus and nine of those people are in the intensive care unit.

Ontario reported another 1,072 cases of COVID-19 and the deaths of 41 more people with the illness on Wednesday. 

32 active outbreaks

There are 32 active outbreaks in the region with 18 in long-term care and retirement homes.

The other outbreaks include:

• Six in congregate settings: One with 73 cases (over multiple locations), one with eight cases, one with three cases and three with a single case each.
• One at St. Mary's General Hospital.
• One at a Waterloo Catholic District School Board program with seven cases. Public health says there are multiple cohorts involved.
• One at Conestoga Meats where cases remain at 163.
• One at a manufacturing workplace with 37 cases.
• One at a trades business with seven cases.
• One at a warehouse with two cases.
• One at an automobile sales and service business with two cases.
• One at an optometrist's office with two cases.