Juravinski Hospital has 2 more outbreaks as active COVID-19 cases in Hamilton top 700

There are now 50 people with COVID-19 linked to the outbreaks at Juravinski Hospital and Cancer Centre, which have expanded to include five wards. 

Twenty-five patients, 23 staff members and two learners have been reported as having the virus, according to Hamilton Health Sciences (HHS). 

The City of Hamilton has also listed two new outbreaks at the hospital's M2 and E4 units on Saturday. They join outbreaks at E3, B3, and F5, meaning five wards have been affected. 

The M2 Unit "cares mainly for patients who have undergone surgery for a fractured hip or total joint replacement or for patients with a neuro-oncology diagnosis," according to the HHS website. 

The other, E4, is a surgical unit. 

HHS said that "less than five patients who tested positive for COVID-19 as part of the outbreak tracing and testing have died."

"We extend our deepest condolences to their loved ones," it said. 

Inpatients encouraged to wear masks inside rooms

The first outbreak at Juravinski Hospital and Cancer Centre was declared in the E3 unit on Dec. 3. HHS said E3 is where all patients who are linked to the outbreak and tested positive for the virus are being cared for, with the exception of a few people who require specialized care for other reasons. 

No visitors are currently allowed on the outbreak units except on compassionate grounds, and there are no admissions to outbreak units. The visitor policies are constantly being re-evaluated, so HHS says family caregivers should check with the appropriate unit for instructions. 

All staff and physicians on site must follow enhanced PPE requirements with universal eye protection and are required to stay in their units. 

Inpatients are being encouraged, when possible, to wear masks not only when they leave their room, but also inside of them, HHS said. 

"Inpatient care for specialized cancer treatment is being maintained and all patients are receiving their intended care," it said.

Contact tracing and testing is continuing. 

HHS also says that steps are in place to maintain the safety of the areas and patients should attend their appointments at the centre to receive the care they need. 

Active cases surpass 700 mark

There are currently 716 people that have the virus in Hamilton. Active cases in the city have been steadily increasing over the past few weeks, surpassing the 600 mark last Sunday and breaching the 500 mark one week before. 

There were 88 new cases reported on Sunday. This follows a massive jump seen on Saturday, where the city reported 142 new cases in a single day. 

The city has seen 4,162 cases, of which 3,297 have been resolved. Two more people have died, bringing total deaths to 114.

Shalom Village cases rise to 48

Cases of COVID-19 at Shalom Village Nursing Home have increased to 48, including 38 residents, nine staff, and one person who falls in the visitor or other category.

The outbreak at Shalom Village began on Dec. 9, and on Saturday, there were 13 people reported as having the virus. 

The City of Hamilton has declared that the outbreak at Hamilton Continuing Care long-term care home is over. It ran between Oct. 31 and Dec. 11 and saw 49 people infected with COVID-19. This included 28 residents and 21 staff. 

Several other outbreaks, including those connected to 3 for 1 Glasses Hamilton, St. Mark Elementary School, and All Tool Manufacturing, have also been declared as over. 

One more resident at Idlewyld Manor has COVID-19. Thirteen residents and nine staff have the virus, for a total of 22 people. 

Hamilton's largest outbreak at Grace Villa stands at 132 people infected, including 77 residents and 55 staff. 

Haldimand-Norfolk

There have been 726 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Haldimand and Norfolk, including 48 that are active and 640 that are recovered.

The health unit reported that one more person has died. The resident was living in the community prior to hospitalization, according to a media release. No further details will be made available, it said, due to privacy reasons. 

Thirty-three deaths have been linked to the virus. 

Brant

Brant and Brantford have reported 635 confirmed cases over the course of the pandemic, including 82 that were active as of Sunday and 548 that were resolved.

Twenty new cases have been recorded in the area in the past 24 hours.

Five people who were infected have died. One person remains in hospital.

Niagara

Niagara has seen 2,575 cases so far, which is an increase of 136 since Friday. 

Eighty-seven people who had the virus have died, while 2,151 have recovered.

There are 337 active cases in the region as of Sunday and 18 outbreaks are ongoing.

Halton

Forty-seven more cases of COVID-19 were recorded in Halton on Sunday.

The region had seen 4,487 cases as of Sunday, of which 409 were active, while 3,991 were resolved.

There were 15 new cases reported in Burlington, where there are 134 active cases. 

Six more people in Halton have died after being infected with the virus, bringing the total to 84.