Hamilton to move to red zone Monday as city reports more than 400 active COVID-19 cases

Hamilton will move to the red "control" zone of the province's COVID-19 framework and will be placed under tighter restrictions as of Monday.

The announcement from Ontario Health Minister Christine Elliott came as the city reported more than 400 active cases of the virus — the highest active daily case count to date.

"If you live in a red 'control' region please only leave the house for essential purposes," said Elliott. "We all have personal responsibility here to control the spread of COVID-19."

In the red zone, gatherings are confined to 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors. Religious services, weddings and funerals are confined to 30 per cent capacity indoors and 100 people outdoors. The maximum number of patrons permitted to be seated at a bar or restaurant indoors is 10. Outdoor dining, take out, drive through, and delivery are all permitted.

The measures will be in place for 28 days, unless indicators worsen.

Red is just one step away from a complete lockdown.

"That is what's coming next, essentially," said Dr. Elizabeth Richardson, Hamilton's medical officer of health.

"If we don't get control over this we will be moving into a lockdown."

Hamilton saw 46 new cases Friday. The city has recorded 2,341 cases throughout the pandemic, including 402 that were active and 1,877 that are resolved.

Richardson described the rise in cases locally as "alarming," adding the move to the red zone is necessary.

"We understand that this has been a long period of time with the pandemic, people feeling overwhelmed… but at the same time there's very serious consequences that come along with COVID-19," she said during a media update Friday.

Asked about how residents are expected to reconcile the message from the province not to leave home unless it's essential with the fact restaurants and bars remain open with indoor seating, she said it's up to people to make their own decisions.

"The best advice is stay home, eat at home, have a virtual visit with you friends," she said, adding there is some allowance for people to go out and do things in "very restricted ways" as an outlet.

Outbreaks continue to appear in the city, with two more being announced Friday at a flooring store and the Meridian Credit Union location in Stoney Creek and where two and three staff members have tested positive respectively.

Nineteen outbreaks are ongoing, 12 of which are at long-term care or retirement homes, including Chartwell Willowgrove Long Term Care Residence where 38 residents, 23 staff members and one essential visitor have been infected. Eight people who lived at the home have died.

The most recent death, a woman in her late 80s, marks the 60th person with the COVID-19 to die in Hamilton.

During a media update Friday, Premier Doug Ford said the province is "staring down the barrel of another lockdown."

"I will not hesitate for a second if we have to go further because our number one priority right now is getting these numbers down," he said.

Brant, Niagara move to 'restrict' zone

Elliott said the province is adjusting its recently-announced, colour-coded framework to respond to "faster rates of growth," by lowering the thresholds for each level.

Based on those new thresholds, and in consultation with local medical officers of health, Hamilton and Halton will move into the red zone along with Peel, York and Toronto.

While the new restrictions won't be in place until 12:01 a.m. Monday, Richardson urged Hamiltonians to start following them as soon as possible.

"Everybody who can make a change now, make it now," she said. "Let's find ways to get this under control rather than look for ways not to."

Hamilton officials said move to the red zone won't mean any changes to basic services such as waste collection or snow removal, but recreational programs will be modified. They asked residents to check on the city's website throughout the weekend for updates.

Meanwhile, Brant County and Niagara will move to the orange "restrict" zone and Haldimand-Norfolk will be in the yellow "protect" zone.

"Please, please do your part," said Elliott. "That is how we can protect each other, reduce the spread of this virus and keep our communities safe."

Halton

Halton has reported a total of 2,827 cases of COVID-19 (2,685 confirmed and 142 probable) during the pandemic.

Of those, 486 were active Friday and 1,197 resolved.

Ninety-two of those active cases were in Burlington, which saw its case count rise by 14.

Forty-four people in the region who had COVID-19 have died.

Niagara

There were 247 active cases of the virus in Niagara Friday.

The region has seen 1,776 cases so far, including 1,451 that are resolved.

Fourteen outbreaks are ongoing and 78 people have died.

Brant

Nine new cases of COVID-19 were reported within the past 24 hours in Brant County.

The area has a total of 365 confirmed cases, of which 288 are resolved and 72 were active Friday.

Five people with the virus have died. One person is currently hospitalized.

Six Nations

There were two active cases of the virus on Six Nations of the Grand River as of Thursday.

An update from health officials showed Six Nations has tallied 95 cases.

One person has died.

Haldimand-Norfolk

Two new cases of COVID-19 were added to the total in Haldimand-Norfolk Thursday.

The counties have recorded 578 positive cases, 519 of which are recovered and 22 were active Friday.

Thirty-two deaths are considered COVID-19 related.