Hamilton sees 'significant' uptick in active COVID-19 cases as school year draws near

There are 63 active cases in Hamilton as of Tuesday morning, compared to just 14  at the end of July.

"We have had a significant uptick," said Dr. Elizabeth Richardson, the city's medical officer of health, adding officials are keeping a close eye on the number, especially as students prepare to return to school in the fall.

"We're going to watch it along with the schools boards," she added. "If that number really does go up then we would have to think ... do we need to make some adjustments as we go forward?"

A rise in cases was always a possibility as the city continues to re-open, Richardson explained, pointing out the recent cases are coming in clusters among close contacts, including families and among roommates.

But that's not the only way the virus is spreading.

The doctor said there have been reports in recent days of people continuing to go out with friends even after developing some symptoms.

"Unfortunately in many instances it is amongst people who have gathered together in very close proximity for at least several hours."

Even if someone's symptoms are mild or they're not sure if they have COVID-19 they should stay home, she said.

"If you're not quite sure, don't take the chance and go out."

Hamilton has seen 974 cases of COVID-19 as of 9:25 a.m., an increase of three compared to Monday.

Eighty-nine per cent of those are considered recovered, while 45 people have died. There are currently no community outbreaks.

Hamilton hits Phase 3 of reopening

Hamilton Mayor Fred Eisenberger announced Tuesday that the city is entering Phase 3 of its own reopening plan, a period he expects to be "lengthy" as it will remain in place until a vaccine or treatment is available or widely used. 

Paul Johnson, director of the city's emergency operations centre, said Phase 3 means the return of more municipal programs and the re-opening of recreational facilities with more swimming, open gym programs and senior clubs starting back up sometime in September and October.

Officials will ensure the reopening happens in a "slow and steady way that allows it to be done safely," Johnson added.

As the city continues to open up more public spaces, Johnson said he's "overall extremely pleased with how Hamiltonians have responded" to the city's mandatory masking bylaw.

 Monica Ciriello, manager of the city's licensing division, confirmed no tickets have been issued under the bylaw.

"There's been a huge uptake when it comes to compliance," she said. "It shows our education within the community has worked."

Haldimand-Norfolk

Twenty-three people in the two counties currently have COVID-19, which is up two since Thursday. There have been 474 cases, of which 419 people have recovered and 32 have died. 

An outbreak was declared at Parkview Meadows Christian Retirement Village in Townsend on August 18 after one staff member tested positive.

Halton

The number of active COVID-19 cases in Halton fell to 23 Tuesday, compared to 26 the day before. Twenty-five people in the region have died and 909 have recovered, for a total caseload of 957. 

Six of those active cases are in Burlington where seven people have died of the virus and 190 have recovered, for a total of 203 cases.

Niagara

There number of active cases in Niagara dropped to 26 Tuesday.  Overall, 930 Niagara residents have tested positive for COVID-19, 840 of which have recovered. Sixty-four people have died. 

Brant

In Brant/Brantford, 144 people have recovered and five people have died. Eleven people currently have the virus and none of them are in hospital. 

Dr. Elizabeth Urbantke, acting medical officer of health for the region, noted it's saw a rise in cases locally last week, but said most of the new cases could be traced back to the same social circle.

"It can definitely look alarming to see numbers go up, but the trends the Health Unit is seeing from our contact tracing efforts have remained consistent throughout the latest phase of our response," she wrote in a statement urging people to continue wearing face coverings, washing hands and limiting who they come into contact with.

"When limiting close contact to 10 people, you are effectively containing any spread of the illness to that group."