Large COVID-19 outbreak declared over in Waterloo region shelter system

A large COVID-19 outbreak in Waterloo region's shelter system has been declared over.

There were 90 cases linked to the outbreak, which startedon Jan. 8 and was declared over on Saturday, public health reported on Monday.There were two deaths linked to the outbreak.

As of Monday, there was one outbreak in a long-term care home: Sunnyside Home in Kitchener has seen 149 positive COVID-19 cases with109 in staff. Two deaths have been linked to the outbreak.

There were six other outbreaks:

• Four in hospitals.
• Two in congregate settings.

There were 22 people with COVID-19 in Waterloo region's three hospitals as of Monday's update from public health. There were 12 people in the intensive care unit, either with the virus or recovering from it.

No new deaths were reported on Monday.

Test results

The region reported 136 new COVID-19 cases between Friday and Monday, although the actual number of cases is believed to be significantly higher as much as tenfold the number because not everyone is eligible for governmenttesting.

Last Thursday, the province's chief medical officer of health Dr. Kieran Moore said the actual number of COVID-19 cases in the province is likely 10 times the reported figure,based on limited testing. The province confirmed just over 2,200 new cases that day, which would translate toan estimated 20,000 new daily cases in the general public.