State of emergency ends after two years

Hamilton ended its state of emergency for COVID-19 despite the pandemic continuing to take a steep toll on the city’s hospitals.

The municipal emergency declaration has been in place since April 17, 2020. It was lifted Tuesday — days after Hamilton Health Sciences put out a COVID update to the community on Friday that flagged “staffing and capacity pressures are severe and ongoing.”

Hamilton’s hospitals had 299 staff and physicians self-isolating Tuesday. At the same time, the hospitals were caring for 135 COVID patients. Occupancy was 112 per cent at Juravinski Hospital and 110 per cent at Hamilton General Hospital. Ideal is 85 per cent to 90 per cent.

In addition, there were five ongoing COVID outbreaks in the hospitals — three at Hamilton General, one at the Charlton Campus of St. Joseph’s Healthcare and one at the Satellite Health Facility.

In total, the city had 30 active outbreaks in high-risk settings, including 19 in seniors’ homes, four in shelters and two in group homes or communal living.

Three of the outbreaks have reported deaths: two at the Charlton Campus on the 5MG unit, one at Revera Ridgeview Long Term Care Home and one at Regina Gardens Long Term Care Residence.

The city reported four COVID deaths since May 4 to bring pandemic fatalities to 550. Three of the deaths were seniors age 80 and older, while one was a Hamiltonian in their 60s.

Meanwhile, the COVID vaccine rollout has long stalled with just 58 per cent of Hamilton adults age 18 and older boosted with three shots.

“While COVID-19 remains a serious concern requiring ongoing efforts and vigilance ... our emergency declaration can be terminated,” Mayor Fred Eisenberger said in a statement. “It is important we remember that COVID-19 will be a part of our lives moving forward, and our work to help people get vaccinated and to support our economic recovery must continue.”

The city’s emergency operations centre will remain mobilized to monitor the COVID situation.

City council meetings will move to a hybrid model that will allow councillors and the public to attend inperson starting May 25. Committee meetings will follow on May 30 along with advisory committees.

Mandatory masking for city staff will be lifted on May 25 except for high-risk indoor settings such as seniors’ homes, shelters and public transit. The province still requires masks in these vulnerable settings until at least June 11.

In total, the city had 30 active outbreaks in high-risk settings, including 19 in seniors’ homes, four in shelters and two in group homes or communal living