88-year-old man dies of COVID-19 at Kitchener long-term care home

An 88-year-old man who was a resident at Blair Creek House in Kitchener has died from COVID-19, according to the long-term care home's CEO.

He's the third person who has died in Waterloo region after testing positive for COVID-19.

"We learned in the very early hours of this morning that one of our residents passed away. What we do know is he was one of our first two confirmed positive for COVID-19," Joy Birch, CEO of Highview Residences, which operates Blair Creek House told CBC on Saturday.

Birch says there have been four positive cases at the Kitchener home, which specializes in care for people with dementia. The first two positive cases were confirmed on Wednesday, she said.

'Unbelievably sad' 

"We are unbelievably sad about this news and just trying to be there to support our families and our staff."

Birch says her team is focused on the safety of all residents and its team members by working closely with Waterloo region's health unit.

"We're following every directive that we get with regard to hand hygiene, PPE, and with regard to infection prevention and control," Birch said.

Cases in region

As of midday Saturday, over 1,700 people had tested negative in the region and 29 people had recovered. The public health unit has conducted nearly 2,400 tests and 420 tests are still awaiting results. Six cases in long term care or retirement homes have been reported:

• Highview Residences (Three residents).
• Sunnyside Home (Two staff).
• Forest Heights Revera (One resident).
• St. Luke's Place (One staff).
• The Village at University Gates (One staff).
• Chartwell Westmount (One staff). 
• —Source: Region of Waterloo 

The region said Saturday about a quarter of reported cases (23%) were health care workers involved in direct patient care. 

Ninety cases originated via community transmission, 46 came from close contact with an infected person and 31 were travel related, it reported. The origin of one case was still under investigation. 

Lineups on closing day

Stores across Waterloo region that are no longer considered essential experienced lineups Saturday as they prepared to close their doors Saturday night. 

Premier Doug Ford announced on Friday the government was reducing the number of essential workplace categories from 74 to 44. Non-essential businesses had a deadline of Saturday 11:59 p.m. to close, including some construction sites and cannabis retail stores. Read more...

More stories about COVID-19 in the region and beyond:

• The helpers: This week's stories of people stepping up in a pandemic
• HAPPINESS COLUMN | Healthy workplace relationships crucial during COVID-19
• 130 students register in 1st hour of U of G's emergency COVID-19 food bank
• 24 Guelph General Hospital workers test positive for COVID-19
• By the numbers: Waterloo region coronavirus data tracker
• CBC's global coronavirus data tracker