Number of COVID cases in children jumps
The number of COVID-19 cases in children under the age of nine jumped by 38 per cent, or five cases, on Thursday.
Prior to Thursday, just 13 Hamilton children under the age of nine had tested positive for the virus.
On Thursday, that number increased to 18, though COVID cases in young children still only make up two per cent of Hamilton’s overall 788 cases.
Dr. Elizabeth Richardson, Hamilton’s medical officer of health, said the new cases in children likely come from a recent cluster of cases in a family, though she was unsure how many households were involved in the cluster.
There are 31 cases in children and teens ages 10 through 19. There are substantially more — 161 cases — in the next age category, 20 to 29-year-olds.
Hamilton’s total number of confirmed and probable cases is now at 788, up 10 from Wednesday. There was an increase of seven the day previous and two before that.
Asked if the increase is concerning in light of Hamilton being a day away from entering Stage 2 of the province’s reopening plan, Richardson said no.
“The overall trends are still good,” she said.
Some of the cases being reported now involve people who only went to get tested late in the game, days after showing symptoms, she said. This means the cases might not be as “new” as the numbers suggest.
The city revealed more details about its reopening plan late Wednesday, confirming some splash pads and pools will soon reopen, giving Hamiltonians a reprieve from hot weather.
“I am pleased to share that 65 of the city’s 68 spray pads will be turned on by Friday,” said Eisenberger in the release.
The following indoor and outdoor pools will open the week of Monday, July 6: Ancaster Lions Outdoor, Coronation Outdoor Pool, Dundas Driving Park, H.G. Brewster Pool, Huntington Park Recreation Centre, Pool Jimmy Thompson Pool, Ryerson Recreation Centre, Sir Winston Churchill Recreation Centre, Stoney Creek Recreation Centre and Westmount Recreation Centre.
Birge Outdoor Pool, Green Acres Outdoor Pool, Inch Park Outdoor Pool and Walker Outdoor Pool will open the week of Monday, July 13.
Bars and restaurants are also gearing up for Friday reopenings. Service will be outdooronly, with food and drinks served on patios or in permitted parking lot and curbside areas.