Hamilton’s COVID-19 numbers are dropping

High frequency of outbreaks continue to cause concern — especially among the most vulnerable

The city’s COVID-19 rate dropped for the fourth day in a row, but Ontario public health officials warn it’s too early to celebrate.

Hamilton is one of 26 Ontario public health units with a decreasing weekly rate of new cases per 100,000 — leaving only eight with no change or an increase in this key metic.

“We’re seeing some improvement but we do need to see more data to determine if some of those decreasing rates are real trends,” Dr. Barbara Yaffe, Ontario’s associate medical officer of health said Thursday.

“Another week or two of data will be required to assess the trajectory.”

Hamilton’s rate has fallen to 103 per 100,000 population Thursday, from 135 on Sunday. It was 149.3 from Jan. 4 to 10.

But it’s still a far cry from 48.1 on Nov. 1 to 7 just before Hamilton was put in the red zone. It was 116 when Hamilton went into lockdown Dec. 21.

“The case rates in many of our regions do remain high,” said Yaffe.

There is hope Hamilton’s rate will continue to decline as the city reported 76 new infections Thursday, the third day in a row the increase has only been in double-digits. The record is 209 on Jan. 5.

“People need to stay home,” said Dr. Dirk Huyer, co-ordinator of the provincial outbreak response. “It speaks to the improving ... numbers — the outcome of such hard work.”

The city reported three more deaths Thursday to bring the pandemic toll to 230. All three appear to be seniors aged 80 or more.

One death doesn’t seem to be connected to any outbreak, but two were patients at Hamilton Health Sciences (HHS). One died in an outbreak on unit E3 at Juravinski Hospital, which has 25 infections and five deaths. Another was the first COVID death in the outbreaks at the temporary hospital at 150 King St. E. in Effort Square, where 14 have been infected on the second floor and 47 on the third floor.

There are outbreaks on 10 different units at HHS and St. Joseph’s Healthcare.

“We see it in a lot of hospitals and that again impacts the hospital capacity to be able to provide care,” said Huyer.

The outbreaks come as HHS and St. Joseph’s are caring for 110 COVID patients. To compare, fewer than 150 patients were hospitalized in the first four months of the pandemic.

Area hospitals have also been transferred 15 critical-care COVID patients from overburdened hospitals in the Greater Toronto Area. Six went to Burlington’s Joseph Brant Hospital, five went to the Charlton Campus of St. Joseph’s, three went to Hamilton General Hospital and one to Niagara Health.

Overall, the high number of outbreaks in Ontario, particularly in vulnerable sectors, continue to be a concern which is also seen in Hamilton.

The city is reporting 43 outbreaks, including 18 in seniors’ homes. One is fast-spreading, with infections at Maxwell’s Retirement Home on Bay Street South at Herkimer Street jumping to 15 Thursday from two the day before.

Eight of the outbreaks are in other types of congregate living in the community such as residential care and shelters. The outbreak at Mission Services Men’s Centre is now up to 11 cases.

New outbreaks were declared Wednesday at Ridgeview LongTerm Care Home in Stoney Creek, retirement home Amica Dundas and Tapawingo Day Care on the central Mountain.

Outbreaks were declared over at Families First Stoney Creek, Arbour Creek Long-Term Care Centre, Clarion Nursing Home and ArcelorMittal Dofasco.