COVID-19 numbers creep up in Hamilton, Brant, Niagara, Burlington and area

Hamilton has 183 confirmed cases of COVID-19, and about 14 per cent of those have been severe enough that people had to be hospitalized.

That's the latest number given by Dr. Elizabeth Richardson, Hamilton's medical officer of health, in an update Tuesday.

Richardson said 73 of the 183 cases have recovered, and "for most people, COVID-19 is sort of a bad cold." But five people have died so far, and 26 have been admitted to hospital. 

All of the fatalities have been people older than 80. Three were residents of Heritage Green Nursing Home in upper Stoney Creek, which has 10 confirmed resident cases right now, Richardson said. Another person who died was a resident at Cardinal Retirement Home, where 14 residents and five staff have tested positive for COVID-19. The fifth person who died lived in the community.

The outbreak at Wentworth Lodge, she said, still sits at one case.

Hamilton's numbers have jumped by 68 cases since April 1. 

Richardson gave the update on a joint call with Hamilton Health Sciences (HHS) and St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton. Both agencies say they're making space for extra beds, expecting a surge in COVID-19 patients over the next week. HHS executive vice president Wes Stephen says so far, the plans show that Hamilton has enough ventilators. 

Here's what's happening in the surrounding areas:

Brant

The Brant County Health Unit, which includes Brantford, has 47 cases Tuesday, an increase of one from the day before. One person has died. The area still has outbreaks at Telfer Retirement Home in Paris and St. Joseph's Lifecare Centre in Brantford, although neither have had a death. 

Brant County, in a burst of post-pandemic optimism, issued notice Tuesday that it's now accepting applications for ice time at its arenas this fall.

Haldimand-Norfolk

The Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit is reporting 109 confirmed cases. It says on its website that there are six deaths, although the executive director at Anson Place Care Centre in Hagersville says there are now eight resident deaths at the home. "Our home is a tightly-knit community," said Lisa Roth, "and this is a difficult time for everyone." 

Haldimand-Norfolk had 27 confirmed cases last Tuesday, which is an increase of 300 per cent in a week. 

A large number of its cases stem from the outbreak at Anson Place, where more than 60 staff and residents have been infected. There is also an outbreak at Norview Lodge in Simcoe. 

The area has three small hospitals and eight ventilators combined. Rob MacIsaac, president of Hamilton Health Sciences, said Tuesday that Hamilton is working with its surrounding areas to develop a regional plan to treat critical COVID-19 patients. 

Halton

Halton has 169 cases, up from 155 Monday. The number of new cases has increased by one, from 38 Monday to 39 Tuesday. 

Niagara

Niagara has 162 cases, up from 149 Monday. Forty-three patients have recovered from COVID-19, up 10 from Monday. Niagara Region Public Health won't say how many people have died, although the province's information and privacy commissioner says that it should.