Guelph’s public health unit announced the first death linked to COVID-19 in the city in almost six months on Tuesday.
Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health did not provide further details on the death — the city’s first since June 17.
Guelph’s death toll has now reached 12 as the city has seen a significant increase in cases and hospitalizations in the past week.
Guelph reported 23 new cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday, bringing its total case count to 749.
It comes after the city saw 56 new cases from the weekend and another 30 that were reported on Friday.
Active cases increased by five from the previous day to 114. That includes eight people being treated in the hospital for the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, which is an increase of one from the previous day.
Just one week ago, Guelph was only reporting 50 active cases and one person in the hospital.
Another 17 people recovered from COVID-19 in the last day as resolved cases have risen to 623 in the city.
Wellington County
Wellington County reported four new cases of COVID-19 from the weekend, raising its total case count to 384 during the pandemic.
Active cases dropped by four from the previous day to 27, which includes two people being treated in hospital.
Another eight people have recovered from the disease, bringing the county’s total resolved case count to 352.
Its death toll of five has not changed since Nov. 26.
COVID-19 outbreaks in schools
A COVID-19 outbreak was declared at Centennial Collegiate Vocational Institute in Guelph on Dec. 4 after three students tested positive for the coronavirus.
Guelph Collegiate Vocational Institute closed two classes this week after two confirmed cases, however, an outbreak has not been declared.
Seven other schools in Guelph and Wellington County are reporting a case each.
All schools remain open to students and staff.
Two active cases have been connected to the University of Guelph, but the risk is considered low, according to public health officials.
COVID-19 outbreaks in long-term care
A new COVID-19 outbreak has been declared at a Guelph retirement home, while an outbreak that ended at another retirement home has been reopened.
Chartwell Wellington Park Retirement Residence in Guelph declared an outbreak on Monday, but it’s not clear how many cases have been connected to it.
An outbreak at Stone Lodge Retirement Home in Guelph was declared over last week but then reopened on Monday after a staff member tested positive for the coronavirus.
An outbreak has ended at Wellington Terrace in Fergus, while another outbreak that was declared on Dec. 2 at Carressant Care in Harriston continues.