1st coronavirus-related death reported in Waterloo Region

Waterloo Public Health has announced the first death in the region related to COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus.

They say that the man in his 40s, who suffered from pre-existing medical conditions, died at St. Mary’s General Hospital on Tuesday morning.

“This is a very sad time for all of us, but especially for the family and loved ones of the man who passed away. I want to express my deepest condolences,” Dr. Hsiu-Li Wang, Region of Waterloo’s acting medical officer of health, said in a statement.

Wang said that the person had contracted the virus through community contact.

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“In order to protect privacy, we will not be releasing further specifics regarding this case,” she said.

On Monday, Public Health announced 43 new cases of COVID-19, which brought the total number of cases to 103.

Public health officials said that number includes 60 confirmed cases and 43 presumptive cases. Eleven of those cases were said to have been resolved while another 19 were in hospital.

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“We need to continue to work together to further slow the spread of infection,” Wang said on Tuesday.

“Although groups such as older adults and those with pre-existing medical conditions are at greater risk, no one is immune to the development of infection nor the possibility of serious complications,” she warned.

Wang said the region is not making any changes to current policies or recommendations now that it has experienced its first death.

“It doesn’t change what we have to do,” she said. “The most important thing for us to do is to continue to practice those physical distancing measures.”