Haldimand-Norfolk COVID-19 cases jump to 23, including 7 at a long-term care home

The number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Haldimand and Norfolk has increased to 23, including seven at a now-quarantined Hagersville retirement home.

But the health unit says the increase is due to a backlog of testing, not a sudden increase in cases.

The Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit said Sunday night that seven people have tested positive at Anson Place, a Hagersville retirement and long-term care home. One of the residents died late last week.

The health unit has given few details, including if any of the cases are staff or if the initial case was travel related. It also hasn't said the age or gender of the person who died, citing patient confidentiality.

As for the sudden increase, the health unit says it's the result of getting some long-awaited test results, rather than a jump in cases. The City of Hamilton also experienced a similar jump this weekend.

Anson Place hasn't responded to requests for comment, although the health unit said residents were isolated.

"The Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit has worked with Anson Place staff and leadership to initiate a public health management plan," it said in the Sunday evening release. "The plan has been developed to reduce the risk of transmission among residents and staff."

Haldimand and Norfolk have set up two temporary hospitals this month in arenas in case there's overflow at the three local hospitals.

One of Haldimand's hospitals, Haldimand War Memorial Hospital in Dunnville, sends critical care patients to larger hospitals, typically in Hamilton or Niagara. Norfolk General Hospital in Simcoe has a half dozen intensive care beds and four step-down beds, according to its website. The website at West Haldimand General Hospital in Hagersville lists it as having 23 acute care beds.