Three more Hamilton-area long term care COVID-19 deaths over weekend – TheSpec.com

We regret to inform you ...

I am sad to report ...

Messages conveying loss continue to be delivered to the community, in the wake of more victims of COVID-19 at Hamilton-area long-term care homes.

Three more residents died over the weekend: a 92-year old man succumbed to the virus at Heritage Green Nursing Home on Saturday the fourth death at that facility since March 24.

Heritage Green sent a message to families who have loved ones living in the home, expressing regret over his death, and adding: Thank you for your ongoing love and support and remember us in your prayers.

The message also said that families should be assured that we are continuing to follow strict infection control measures and that the health and well being of our residents, your loved ones, remains our primary focus.

And on Sunday, the executive director of Anson Place Care Centre in Hagersville, Lisa Roth, emailed the Spectator to say she was sad to report that the total number of deaths at the facility had hit 24.

The total had increased by two since Friday.

Anson Place has 71 residents who have so far tested positive for the virus.

This is an especially difficult time for our families and for our staff who continue to prioritize the health and safety of our residents, added Roth.

The latest deaths once again underscore the danger of COVID-19 to patients in long term care environments, and who have existing respiratory health ailments.

As of Sunday, Hamilton has had 14 total COVID-19 deaths.

Eight of those deaths have been residents at long term care facilities Heritage Green and Cardinal Retirement residence and four have died in hospital who were ages 89, 88, 62, and 74-years old.

In Ontario, of the provinces 553 total COVID-19 deaths reported as of Sunday, 365 patients have been over 80 years-old and 521 have been 60 and over.

Meanwhile, a graph posted on the City of Hamiltons COVID-19 website suggests that the overall increase in cases has been levelling-off.

The graph shows cases spiking in March when they increased from 37 to 104 cases in one week, and then 104 to 223 in two weeks but more recently have climbed from 280 to just over 300 cases. (Hamilton has 328 confirmed cases as of Sunday.)

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The graph also shows that there have been 606 cases of Influenza A this flu season in Hamilton, and 253 cases of Influenza B.

The graph can be found at hamilton.ca/coronavirus/status-cases

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Three more Hamilton-area long term care COVID-19 deaths over weekend - TheSpec.com