Hamilton seeing a slow rise in COVID-19 following lifting of most Ontario restrictions

Nearly two weeks after most restrictions were lifted in Ontario, Hamilton is seeing a gradual increase in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations.

And Robert Delatolla, who leads the research into wastewater testing in Hamilton, said the wastewater data is showing an uptick in cases too.

"The last two data points we saw, definitely were significantly higher, and it's going off the wastewater," he said.

Delatolla also said the city might see COVID-19 cases stabilize at some point, but he's not sure when.

"The other question that's really important is going to be, is a hospitalization rise going to follow?"

"How much immunity is there in the community against severe illness? And will we see a subsequent hospitalization rise?"

As of March 31, 84.1 per cent of the eligible population in Hamilton is fully vaccinated against COVID-19. The positivity rate of people tested has increased from 14.1 per cent at the beginning of March to 19.2 per cent as of March 30.

'COVID-19 is still present in our community'

Dr. Elizabeth Richardson, Hamilton's medical officer of health, said Hamilton Public Health Services is monitoring health indicators "very closely" to assess potential measures and interventions in case infection rates trend upward "in a worrisome manner." 

"It is important for Hamiltonians to be mindful that COVID-19 is still present in our community," she said.

"Organizations and individuals will have to make an informed, risk-based decision on how to prevent COVID-19 spread in the community and protect themselves from severe outcomes."

She said the most important measures Hamiltonians should take include staying up to date with vaccine shots, assessing their own level of risk and wearing masks in public places.

"Individual public health measures are most effective when layered together," she said.

"Hamiltonians are encouraged to consider their own risk factors and those who they love or spend time with, their risk tolerance and the setting they are in when it comes to protecting themselves from COVID-19."

318 staff at Hamilton Health Sciences isolating

Hamilton Health Sciences agrees.

"At this time, there is good evidence to keep wearing masks, getting a COVID booster, avoiding large gatherings and socializing outdoors wherever possible. If you're sick, stay home," said spokesperson Wendy Stewart.

Stewart said hospitalizations remain low at HHS, but they are seeing an increase in staff isolations. As of March 31, there are 318 HHS staff isolating. Two weeks ago, that number was just under 200.

"We are seeing an increase in the number of staff and physicians isolating at home due to COVID infection or exposure," she said. "This is likely a reflection of increased community spread."

HHS said staff capacity was an issue even before the pandemic.

"The pandemic has exacerbated these pressures as the demand for hospital care has increased," she said.

Hamilton could see more recent wastewater data as soon as next week

Delatolla said he is working with the city to accelerate the reporting of samples. 

"I'm hoping by next week, Hamilton will start receiving samples from the wastewater, like, basically two days after their samples that we'll see the data from our lab."

However, this does not mean that the city will be using wastewater data. 

"We're making the changes to get them the data as quickly as possible, and with the shorter turnaround time, so that if they ever want to use it, they can use it."

He said that even if public health uses the data or not, he's hoping they will continue to publish it so the community can see it.

"You're just really looking to see if the data is going up, staying flat or going down."

Ontario numbers are seeing an uptick too. But Health Minister Christine Elliott said this week that the province has no plans to reintroduce a mask mandate. The province always knew key indicators would rise when restrictions were lifted.

"There's really no surprise here," she said.