WELLINGTON COUNTY – The public health unit has confirmed there are now nine COVID-19-related deaths in the region, while cases have risen to 188.
On April 17, Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health (WDGPH) updated its online status report to show virus deaths had risen from eight to nine.
The April 16 update showed deaths had doubled from four the previous day.
Chuck Ferguson, spokesperson for the health unit, said on April 16 all of the deaths have been in institutional settings and have been elderly people with underlying medical conditions.
He said next week public health will begin reporting the gender and age of fatalities, but to maintain the privacy of these individuals and their families, public health will not release more than that.
Ferguson noted public health nurses are helping long-term care and retirement facilities step up infection control and to review how to put on and take off personal protective equipment.
As of April 17, there are 188 total confirmed COVID-19 cases in the region, with 49 resolved cases.
The geographical breakdown of cases is:
- Wellington County, 27 total cases, nine resolved cases, one death;
- Dufferin County, 62 cases, 17 resolved cases, four deaths; and
- Guelph, 82 cases, 21 resolved cases, four deaths.
