'Majority of cases behind us,' says Hamilton's medical officer as new COVID-19 cases slow

The number of new cases of COVID-19 in Hamilton is averaging lower as the city enters Stage 2 of the province's re-opening plan. 

There have been 789 total cases of COVID-19 overall in Hamilton, which is up one case from Thursday. Of these, 781 have been confirmed and eight are probable. Eighty seven per cent — 686 cases — have been resolved and 42 people have died, meaning 61 people are still fighting the virus right now. 

At a virtual media update Friday, Dr. Elizabeth Richardson, medical officer of health, said this can be taken as a sign that "the majority of cases are behind us." 

"People are moving through this and getting better and getting back to life," she said. "We continue to have no outbreaks that are active within Hamilton — no institutional outbreaks, no community outbreaks — and that is great." 

Richardson acknowledged she received a few questions about an increase in numbers earlier in the week — there were 11 new cases from Monday to Tuesday —  but said that they were looking at trends over time.  

"From time to time we will have a few more cases, and then we'll have lower numbers, and that's what we want to see —  that the average stays low," she said. "And indeed, we are seeing that."

Since last Friday, the increase has averaged at around 4.7 new cases. 

Two patients are receiving care for the virus at St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, and 16 are at Hamilton Health Sciences. 

As the city re-opens, Richardson, along with other city officials, are urging people to follow protocols, including frequent hand washing and hand sanitizer use, and wearing a non-medical, cloth facemask — especially when unable to maintain physical distance. 

Mayor Fred Eisenberger said that there is still a need for "caution out there" not to "waste" the effort that it took to get to this point. 

"You don't have to look too far to see where in other places, in North America, they thought they were achieving success and they relaxed things too much too quickly," he said.

"We don't want to go there, so take the precautions, go out and enjoy your community...I think we're all looking forward to doing that, but we can do it safely." 

Brant

Brant/Brantford has seen 120 cases with the virus. Of those, 110 people have recovered and four have died. There are six active cases, but none are being treated in hospital. 

Haldimand-Norfolk

The Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit says there have been 430 lab-confirmed, positive cases. Of those 174 people have been confirmed as recovered, and 31 people have died. 

Halton

Halton has 794 total cases (716 confirmed and 78 probable), which is up five since yesterday. There have been 685 recoveries and 24 deaths. 

Burlington accounts for 160 of the total cases. There have been 129 recoveries and 6 deaths, leaving 25 active cases.

Niagara

Niagara has 735 confirmed cases, with 25 being active. Sixty-one people have died and 649 people have recovered.