Waterloo Region reports first COVID-related death in fully immunized individual

Waterloo Region – Region of Waterloo Public Health and Emergency Services is reporting the first COVID-19 related death in an individual who was fully immunized. The latest death is a female in their nineties. This individual was a resident of a long-term care facility currently experiencing a COVID-19 outbreak.

“I would like to express my deepest sympathy to this individual’s family at this sad time,” said Dr. Rabia Bana, Associate Medical Officer of Health for the Region of Waterloo. “This person’s death is a tragic reminder of the toll the COVID-19 pandemic is taking on families and the community. Death is a very rare outcome in fully immunized individuals. I encourage everyone in Waterloo Region to remain vigilant. Members of the public need to continue to follow public health guidance and get immunized as soon as possible. Vaccines along with public health measures are still our best protection against COVID-19 and the Delta variant which is circulating in our community.”

 Public Health is currently working with the long-term care facility to manage the outbreak and prevent further spread of the virus. Residents of long-term care homes are more vulnerable to severe outcomes from the COVID-19 virus.

 Vaccine continues to be administered as quickly as it’s provided to the Region of Waterloo. More vaccine is arriving from the Province, allowing us to ramp up efforts to administer first and second doses of the vaccine to protect the community, reduce the number of infections and stop the spread of the Delta variant.

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