The Haldimand Norfolk Health Unit reported Thursday the area’s 62nd COVID-19 death.
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No details surrounding the fatality were released by the HNHU. There have also been 12 other people who tested positive for COVID-19 but died from complications attributed to other illnesses since the start of the pandemic in March of 2020.
The Haldimand Norfolk Health Unit reported Thursday 22 people hospitalized with COVID-19 in the area’s three local hospitals. On Wednesday there were 21 people in hospital.
There are still 14 people receiving care as in-patients and now eight in intensive care units, an increase of one from Wednesday.
The in-patient occupancy rate at the hospitals continues to climb, from 101.8 per cent to 103 per cent while the ICU occupancy rate remains table at 90 per cent.
The noted statistics are current as of Tuesday. The HNHU’s website only provided data up to that date with the health unit noting that occupancy data lags by approximately 48 hours.
Capacities are based on the percentage of beds that are full at any time, regardless of the reason for admission. There are 164 in-patient beds at Haldimand-Norfolk’s three hospitals and 10 ICU beds.
The number of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 refers to local residents who were admitted due to COVID-19.
The HNHU was reporting Thursday 54 new COVID-19 cases over the past 24 hours although health officials have said the number is more than likely higher due to limited testing.
As of Thursday, there were 19 outbreaks in the area with 10 outbreaks in congregate settings, five in long-term care homes, two on farms and two in retirement homes. There were 21 outbreaks on Wednesday.
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The HNHU has administered 193,501 doses of the vaccine and there are now 66,078 people who have completed their vaccine series. There have also been 27,137 booster doses administered.
The total number of doses administered in Haldimand-Norfolk is 228,421. Some residents of the area have received a dose outside of the HNHU.
The percentage of people aged five and older who are fully vaccinated sits at 77.1 per cent and at 81.3 per cent for those who have received at least one dose of the vaccine. There is 18.7 per cent of the population who is unvaccinated.
The health unit notes that data on vaccinations can be delayed up to 48 hours.
There are a large number of appointments available on the HNHU booking tool with mass clinics being held at Riverside Exhibition Center in Caledonia and at the Simcoe Recreation Centre.
Walk-in clinics are now being offered for those aged 30 and older at the Norfolk General Hospital from 10 am to 2 pm, Simcoe Recreation Center from 11 am to 3 pm and at Caledonia’s Riverside Exhibition Center from 11 am to 3 pm These clinics are only offering Moderna as there is currently a shortage of Pfizer until the end of January.
Due to high demand, walk-ins are no longer being accepted at community clinics, except as noted above.
GO-VAXX will also offer indoor clinics on Fridays in January at Dunnville Lifespan from 10 am to 6 pm. Appointments are necessary.
Visit hnhu.org/popup to book an appointment at one of the above clinics.
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Those who can’t get to a vaccine clinic can call 519-427-5903 to request free transportation.
There is also a homebound service for individuals who have difficulty leaving their homes. This program involves two healthcare professionals visiting homes and administering first and second doses in Haldimand and Norfolk.
Visit www.hnhu.org/homeboundvax or call 519-427-5903 for more information on the program.
Visit www.hnhu.org/covid19vaccine/ for more information and for full details about vaccine rollout in Haldimand and Norfolk counties and covid-19.ontario.ca/ for more information on the rollout in Ontario.
The Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District School Board and Grand Erie District School Board are reporting the percentage of absences for students and staff at each of its schools. The numbers are based on those who attend in-person learning.
Visit tinyurl.com/5n9ajcnw for the full list of BHNCDSB schools and absences.granderie.ca/ for the full list of GEDSB schools.
On Thursday, Public Health Ontario reported 3,645 people in hospital with 599 people in intensive care. There were 4,016 people reported in hospital on Wednesday with 608 in ICUs.
Approximately 56 per cent of patients were admitted due to the virus while the other 44 per cent were admitted for other reasons but later tested positive.
The province reported 70 deaths – over the past 19 days – and there have now been 11,230 deaths during the pandemic.
There were 5,852 confirmed cases in the province from Tuesday, however, that number is likely underreported because of limited testing.
In Ontario, 88 per cent of those aged five and older have received one does of a COVID-19 vaccine, 83 per cent have received two doses and 44 per cent have received three doses.