COVID-19 infects 61 more people in Niagara, mostly from outbreak at Lincoln flower farm

Niagara recorded 61 new cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday, most of which are the result of an outbreak at a Lincoln flower farm.

Niagara Region Public Health wrote on Twitter the outbreak is taking place at an agricultural operation. Mike Kirkopoulos, CAO of the Town of Lincoln, called the spike "concerning."

Lincoln has "been doing very well to keep case numbers low," he said. "We encourage you to not give up now."

"As the pandemic forges on and numbers increase dramatically in both Ontario and in the Niagara region, we must all continue to remain vigilant," he said.

The municipality, he said, is encouraging people to wear masks and keep a physical distance to prevent the numbers from ramping up even more. He worries that higher case numbers will mean more restrictions, which could hurt local businesses.

"Now more than ever, it's crucial that everyone takes the necessary precautions to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 — so that workplaces, schools and businesses can remain open," he said.

"We have spoken with the team" at the farm, he said, "and they are cooperating with public health officials. They indicated that those who are positive are mostly asymptomatic. No one has been hospitalized."

As of Tuesday, 45 people have tested positive from the outbreak. The business doesn't have public facing operations, Niagara public health said, so there's minimal risk to the public. 

Data on the region's website says of its total 1,718 cases, 279 are active.

There have also been 77 deaths, 1,362 resolved cases, and 15 active outbreaks.

Hospitalizations in Hamilton rise

The number of COVID-19 patients in Hamilton hospitals has more than doubled in one day. The city is reporting 16 people in hospital because of the virus, but hospital capacity is still not beyond 100 per cent.

Hamilton public health said there were 34 new COVID-19 cases since Monday, according to city data. That's a smaller number than what has been observed over the past few days.

The city has also recorded two more deaths, for a total of 56. A woman in her mid 90s from Chartwell Willowgrove died on Nov. 6 and a woman in her late 70s from St. Joseph's Villa died on Nov. 8.

There have been a total of 2,218 confirmed infections, 367 of which are active.

There are 20 outbreaks, the latest being at Ridgeview long-term care home after a staff member was diagnosed with the virus.

Six Nations has no active cases

Six Nations of the Grand River is reporting zero active cases of COVID-19.

It has had a total of 94 cases.

The virus killed one person.

Haldimand-Norfolk

Officials in Norfolk say a COVID-19 outbreak at Schuyler farms has grown to 10 cases.

Public health says staff have been at the farm working to identify possible cases, carry out testing and isolate people in order to contain the outbreak.

Haldimand and Norfolk counties reported three new cases, bringing the total to 574.

There are 29 active cases. 

Thirty-two people have died of the virus, but 508 cases have been resolved.

Halton

Statistics for Halton Region on Tuesday showed 37 new cases on Tuesday.

There are 449 active COVID-19 cases in the area and a grand total of 2,676 confirmed infections since March.

Two more people have died, which means the virus has killed 41 people, but 2,166 cases are resolved.

Burlington reported 84 active cases.

Brant

The county of Brant reported 78 active cases on Monday.

There have also been 349 confirmed cases of COVID-19 during the pandemic.

Five people with the virus have died and two people remain in hospital, but 266 cases are resolved.

There is one new outbreak after a staff member at St. Joseph's Lifecare long-term care home tested positive.

There are also two active outbreaks affecting retirement homes.

The outbreak at Brucefield Manor Retirement Home has reported 16 residents and five staff with the virus.  

At Riverview Terrace Retirement Home, 10 residents have been infected with the virus, as well as three staff.