The Haldimand Norfolk Health Unit reported Friday another COVID-19 death, the area’s 72nd death since the pandemic began in March of 2020.
Also, according to the HNHU’s website a 17th person who tested positive with COVID-19 has died from complications attributed to other illnesses.
No other details about either death was released by the health unit.
Meanwhile there was a slight decrease in the number of people in the area hospitalized with COVID-19 going from 12 on Wednesday to 10 on Friday. Two of those people are in intensive care, the same number as Wednesday.
The in-patient occupancy and intensive care unit rates at the area’s three hospitals were mixed. The in-patient rate has gone from 73.3 per cent to 68.9 per cent while the intensive care rate has increased from 60 per cent to 70 per cent.
The noted occupancy rates are current as of Wednesday. 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 cases in Haldimand-Norfolk is climbing. Over the past 72 hours, there have been 148 new COVID-19 cases reported, a number that is more than likely higher due to limited testing.
Included in that number is 57 new cases from Wednesday, the highest single-day total since there were 60 reported on Jan. 25.
As of Wednesday there were five outbreaks at high-risk settings in the area, four at locations listed as an other congregate setting and one at a long-term care home.
The HNHU has administered 201,624 doses of the vaccine and there are now 67,259 people who have completed their vaccine series. There have also been 29,430 booster doses administered.
The total number of doses administered in Haldimand-Norfolk is 238,098. 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 79.2 per cent and at 81.8 per cent for those who have received at least one dose of the vaccine. There is 18.2 per cent of the population who is unvaccinated.
The health unit notes that data on vaccinations can be delayed up to 48 hours.
Walk-in vaccine clinics are now being offered for those aged 12 and older Monday through Friday at the Norfolk General Hospital from 8 am to 3 pm and from 3:30 to 6:30 pm for pediatric patients. There will also be a clinic at Caledonia Library on Friday from 10 am to 2 pm
The GO-VAXX Bus will be at Port Rowan Public School on Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm
Individuals who are aged 60 and older as well as Indigenous people and their household members over the age of 18 are now eligible for a fourth dose. The recommended interval is five months (140 days) after the previous dose but it can be received a minimum of three months (84 days).
HNHU and Norfolk General Hospital each require appointments for fourth doses while GOVaxx buses will still receive walk-ins.
Visit hnhu.org/popup to book an appointment at one of the above clinics.
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 https://tinyurl.com/5n9ajcnw for the full list of BHNCDSB schools and https://absences.granderie.ca/ for the full list of GEDSB schools.
On Friday, Public Health Ontario reported 1,135 people in hospital, the highest number since Feb. 19. Of those in hospital, 166 are in intensive care.
The province reported 4,295 new cases over the past 24 hours although that number is likely underreported due to limited access to testing. It is the highest number since Jan. 29.
There were 10 new COVID-19 deaths reported on Friday and there have been 12,537 deaths in the province since the start of the pandemic in March of 2020.