Spinco COVID-19 outbreak, which infected 85 people, is now over

Public health officials say the COVID-19 outbreak at Spinco Hamilton is over.

The outbreak, which was declared on Oct. 5 and infected at least 85 people, ended Monday, according to an update on the city's website.

Fifty-four primary cases (52 riders and two staff members) have been connected to the spin studio on James Street N., along with at least 31 secondary cases such as family, friends or other contacts who were exposed to people infected there.

Outbreaks are declared over 14 days after the last case onset date.

When asked about the end of the outbreak and any lessons learned officials learned from it, spokesperson Jacqueline Durlov said public health is no longer commenting on Spinco "in order to focus on other aspects of the emergency."

However, she also pointed to new gym guidelines put in place after dozens became infected there and said further changes are being considered.

Local health officials have said the studio followed all the necessary recommendations, including directing riders to wear masks when not on bikes, physical distancing and enhanced sanitization before the outbreak.

However, the city announced new, enhanced guidelines for gyms and fitness centres as more cases linked to Spinco were reported.

They included mandatory physical distance of at least three metres between people exercising, a capacity of 10 people, including staff in a class or training session, and ensuring everyone wears a face covering, even while working out.

Hamilton has seven new cases of COVID-19, according to the daily update Tuesday, which is based on data supplied to public health the afternoon before.

That means the city has seen 1,705 cases since the pandemic began. Of those, 141 are active and 1,512 (89 per cent) are resolved.

Forty-eight people have died.

Nine outbreaks are ongoing in the city.