Drive-thru COVID-19 testing to begin in Hamilton this weekend

Hamiltonians will soon be able to get tested for COVID-19 without leaving the comfort of their vehicles.

The city will be offering a drive-thru testing centre at the Dave Andreychuk Mountain Arena starting Friday.

The Hamilton and McMaster family health teams will operate the testing site and staff it with primary care clinicians, the media release says. The centre will be open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday to Sunday.

To qualify for testing, people need a referral from their doctor or public health, the release says.

Hamilton's east and west end COVID-19 assessment centres also remain open and have enough supplies to continue testing, says the city.

The two centres have been visited by 2,850 people and completed 2,270 tests since opening on March 16, the city said Thursday.

"Increased COVID-19 testing is an important initiative to help in the management of the disease in our community," the release says. Testing does not automatically lead to treatment.

"Everyone is encouraged to continue following public health recommendations around physical distancing, frequent hand washing and covering your cough or sneeze with your sleeve or a tissue."

Hamilton reported 306 cases Thursday, up from 276 the day before. That equates to 301 positive and five probable cases, Hamilton Public Health Services reports. 

Another person has also died, for a total of 11 resident deaths from COVID-19.

The majority of the new cases appear to be in long-term care homes, as the number of reported cases increased to 58 from 39 on Wednesday. 

The number of people who have recovered also increased from 123 to 126 Thursday. 

Here's what else is happening elsewhere in the area:

Brant

Brant had 68 cases Thursday, the same as the day before. Thirty-six of those have recovered, five required hospitalization, and one died. 

The county also announced Tuesday that Wee Watch Home Child Care will provide emergency care for children of essential workers, in consultation with the health unit. 

The county did have outbreaks at Telfer Retirement Home in Paris and St. Joseph's Lifecare Centre, but both are finished. 

Haldimand-Norfolk

As of 10 a.m., there are 22 deaths and 152 confirmed cases, up from 151 confirmed cases the day before. Sixteen people have recovered.

Nineteen of the deaths have been at Anson Place Care Centre in Hagersville. Seventy residents have tested positive, says executive director Lisa Roth. That includes 49 from our long-term care home and 21 from the retirement home.

Halton

Halton has 393 COVID-19 cases, with 350 confirmed and 43 probable. That's an increase of 10 from Wednesday, when 344 were confirmed and 39 were probable. 

In Burlington, cases increased to 73 (62 confirmed, 11 probable) from 68 the day before (60 confirmed, eight probable).

An outbreak was declared at Park Avenue Manor retirement residence in Burlington on April 3, and at Joseph Brant hospital on April 11. 

As of April 12, 11 people have died in Halton. Forty-six have been hospitalized and 114 have recovered.

Niagara

Niagara has 320 confirmed cases, up from 299 on Wednesday. More people have also recovered — 110 on Thursday, up from 99 the day before. 

Twelve per cent of cases needed hospitalization, the region's public health agency says, and 14.4 per cent are health-care workers.

Niagara Region is also postponing its annual curbside battery collection, which was scheduled for April 20 to 24, because of COVID-19. Residents should keep their batteries until the region announces a new date.