City says no new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Hamilton as of noon Friday

No new cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in Hamilton as of noon Friday, according to officials.

During a video update Paul Johnson, who is leading the city's emergency operation's centre, spoke on behalf of public health and said Hamilton still has 23 cases of the new coronavirus.

"I can confirm that there are no new cases in Hamilton over yesterday to our regular media deadline of 12 p.m. today."

That's despite the fact a daily provincial list, shared this morning included two new confirmed cases, as of 10:30 a.m. —man in his 40s who travelled to the U.S. and a woman in her 70s who went on a cruise in the Caribbean.

It's not clear why the discrepancy. Public health says it updates its case numbers once daily, while the province provides two updates.

Johnson went on to say that though the majority of COVID-19 cases in the city are linked to travel, two have no obvious connection to trips outside the country, meaning they represent "early indications of community transmission."

Most of the people who contracted the virus are in self-isolation, though an 80-year-old resident of a Stoney Creek nursing home and one other person remain in hospital.

"In Hamilton no deaths have occurred," said Johnson.

Hospitals closing doors to visitors

The update came as both Hamilton Health Sciences (HHS) and St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton moved to ban visitors from their hospitals.

As of 7 a.m. Friday morning, St. Joe's implemented a no-visitor policy, which it calls "a necessary measure" to combat the spread of the virus. HHS plans to do the same, starting at noon.

"We acknowledge the important role family/loved ones play in supporting patients," St. Joe's said in a tweet. "As we work as a community to contain the virus, limiting hospital traffic is a necessary measure to ensure the health and well-being of our patients and healthcare workers, and to keep the public safe."

There will be exceptions on a case-by-case basis at St. Joe's, including compassionate visits for palliative patients, the partners of women in labour, and select other special cases.

HHS also detailed several exceptions, including the following:

• A pediatric patient being tested for COVID-19 or that is a confirmed case.
• One family member or caregiver is allowed in ambulatory areas or the emergency department if they are considered essential support.
• One person may also accompany a patient for surgery, taking them to the preparation area and picking them up outside the hospital entrance if necessary.

For everyone else, the hospitals are encouraging patients to connect with loved ones online or using the phone.

Play structures not sanitized

The city is taking several new steps to protect residents as the outbreak continues.

Among them is a strong recommendation kids avoid using park equipment and play structures as they're not sanitized.

Green spaces can still be used, as long as groups are kept small and people remain mindful of social distancing, added a media release.

Parking enforcement for residential permits has also been relaxed to help people staying home.

Significant changes are also coming to public transportation in the city.

The HSR will switch to a Saturday schedule as of Monday, said Johnson and the seats directly behind drivers will be blocked off. Passengers are also being directed to enter from the back door, unless they have mobility issues.

DARTS will begin restricting its service to essential trips only starting Friday. That includes medical appointments, going to work, as well as picking up medication and groceries.

"Only travel if you really need to," said Johnson.