COVID-19: Hamilton reporting record-high number of new cases
Published April 21, 2021 at 10:58 am
Hamilton Public Health Services (PHS) is reporting 301 newly confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the community on Wednesday (April 21), marking the first time the city has seen a single-day increase of more than 300.
The city’s previous record was set just last week when on Friday (April 16) Hamilton reported 247 new cases.
The number of active cases in the community is also at an all-time high at 1,645 with 43 active outbreaks and 139 people with confirmed cases being treated in Hamilton hospitals.
The local COVID-19 related death toll has climbed by one, bringing the total to 349.
Hamilton’s COVID-19 test positivity rate — which refers to the percentage of positive results in tests conducted in the last seven days on Hamilton residents only — is up to 7.5 per cent.
At an update to the Board of Health on Monday (April 19), a PHS presentation noted that this indicator was sitting at 5.6 per cent.
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Ontario is reporting 4,212 new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday and 32 more virus-related deaths.
There are now 790 patients in ICUs across the province battling COVID-19, with 566 people requiring breathing assistance through a ventilator.
Meanwhile, Ontario Premier Doug Ford is isolating in Toronto after a member of his staff who was in close contact with him tested positive for COVID-19.
A statement from Ford’s office late Tuesday said that the premier has tested negative.
It said Ford will follow all public health advice for close contacts and remain in self-isolation.
— with a file and photo from The Canadian Press
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