Woman in 70s dies from COVID-19 bringing total deaths to 119 in Waterloo region

A woman in her 70s has died from COVID-19 in Waterloo region, bringing the total number of deaths to 119, Region of Waterloo Public Health reported Friday.

The latest death is a woman in her 70s and she contracted the virus through community transmission,Region of Waterloo Public Health reported Friday.

Dr. Hsiu-Li Wang, the region's acting medical officer of health, said in an email through staff that the death is "a tragic reminder of the seriousness of COVID-19" and her thoughts are with the family of the person who died.

The news comes as the province approved further re-opening in the region.

The region also reported two new cases on Friday, bringing the total number of cases in the region to 1,351. Of that, 1,185 cases, or 88 per cent, have been marked as resolved. There are nine people in hospital.

The region also reported 47 active cases of COVID-19 in the region. There is currently one outbreak at a long-term care home.

Testing centres have done more than 44,200 tests since March.