Twelve new cases of COVID-19
But golf is in the forecast as Ontario begins to allow some parts of the economy to reopen
Hamilton public health reported 12 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Thursday.
At the same time, some Hamilton-area golf courses, including Chippawa Creek and Flamborough Hills, are already booking tee times for the long weekend.
The total number of confirmed cases in the city jumped to 507 Thursday — up from 495 the previous day. No new deaths were reported.
The province also announced the first of its three-stage plan to reopen parts of the economy. Some seasonal activities and businesses, such as golf courses, private parks, and marinas and boat clubs, will be able to open as early as Saturday, in time for the Victoria Day long weekend.
The City of Hamilton says it is reviewing the provincial announcement made Thursday afternoon and is “considering the local impacts.” More information is expected to be available Friday during the city’s scheduled COVID-19 update.
There are 11 ongoing outbreaks in Hamilton at retirement residences and longterm-care facilities: Grace Villa, Village of Wentworth Heights, Extendicare Hamilton, Arbour Creek Care Centre, Blackadar Continuing Care Centre, The Rosslyn, Idlewyld Manor, Regina Gardens, Wentworth Lodge, Heritage Green Nursing Home, and Dundurn Place Care Centre.
Although, there are no active cases at Heritage Green or Wentworth Lodge, as the cases that put them into outbreak status were discovered to be false positives.
No new outbreaks have been declared since May 11.
The number of COVID-19 hospitalizations in Hamilton has increased by 11 — from 61 to 72 people — since May 7.
In Halton Region, one new COVID-19 death was reported Thursday, bringing the total number of deaths to 25. About 45 per cent of the deaths in Halton have been “residents or patients associated with a confirmed institutional outbreak.” There are two ongoing outbreaks at long-term-care homes in the region: one at Waterford Long Term Care Residence in Oakville, and another at Hampton Terrace in Burlington.
Halton also reported nine new cases of COVID-19 — eight confirmed and one probable. As of Thursday, the total number of confirmed cases in Halton is 532.
In Haldimand-Norfolk, there was one new case of COVID-19 reported Thursday, bringing the total to 204.
As of Thursday, there are still no active cases of COVID-19 on Six Nations. To date, the community has had 11 cases, with one death and 10 resolved. Six Nations has conducted 522 tests and received 443 negative results. Currently, 39 people are in self-isolation per the direction of health authorities.
In Ontario, 258 new cases of COVID-19 were reported Thursday, bringing the provincial total to 21,494. So far, 1,798 people have died from COVID-19 in Ontario. More than 16,000 people who had COVID-19 have recovered.