Five more COVID-19 deaths in Niagara

Known active cases have dropped by 160 since Friday

Five more patients have died at Niagara hospitals after being diagnosed with COVID-19, but infections are slowly decreasing in the region.

Niagara Health reported the deaths Monday, including two patients who died Friday, two Saturday and one Sunday. All were Niagara residents.

Six patient deaths were reported all of last week.

Confirmed COVID-19 deaths reported by Niagara Region Public Health on Monday remained at 555 since the pandemic began.

Niagara Health on Monday had 67 patients in hospital after they tested positive for COVID -19, including three in intensive care — down from 82 patients who were being treated for the virus on Friday.

All but 16 of those 67 patients were being treated primarily for other conditions.

After an outbreak at the Rainbow Unit at Niagara Falls hospital was declared over on Monday, the hospital system continues to deal with six outbreaks, including two each at Niagara Falls and Welland hospitals, one at the St. Catharines oncology department and one at Port Colborne hospital.

Public health reported 1,128 known active cases in the region, down from 1,288 reported Friday, while 65 new cases were reported during the weekend.

There were 14 active outbreaks including 11 at health-care facilities.

Public health is running a COVID-19 vaccine clinic at The Pen Centre this week, daily from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

It’s open to all people eligible for first to fourth doses, with or without an appointment.

Public health reported 1,128 known active cases in the region