COVID-19: Hamilton reports 111 new cases over long weekend
Published October 13, 2020 at 8:02 pm
There were 111 new cases of COVID-19 reported in Hamilton over the long weekend, Hamilton medical officer of health, Dr. Elizabeth Richardson, said Tuesday (Oct. 13).
There were 111 new cases of COVID-19 reported in Hamilton over the long weekend, Hamilton medical officer of health, Dr. Elizabeth Richardson, said Tuesday (Oct. 13).
Of those 111 cases, 12 were newly confirmed on Tuesday, bringing the City’s case total to 1,407 and 47 COVID-19-related deaths, and 1,165 resolved cases.
Richardson was speaking alongside Hamilton’s mayor Fred Eisenberger and Emergency Operations Centre director Paul Johnson at the city’s recently resumed weekly virtual COVID-19 media briefing.
Over the weekend, an outbreak at a local fitness studio worsened with nearly 50 people now confirmed to have contracted the virus in connection to this particular outbreak.
Videos
Local reports say SpinCo claims the person believed to have been ‘patient zero’ was asymptomatic at the time they attended the gym.
“Gyms are a higher-risk place,” Dr. Richardson said, noting that SpinCo. was following provincial COVID-19 guidelines. “SpinCo’s been an unfortunate case.”
Dr. Richardson noted that they are in communication with the provincial government in relation to this outbreak and have questioned whether or not more restrictions need to be in place in gyms and fitness studios.
“If you’re feeling off at all, don’t go to the gym,” she urged residents and advised gyms to limit ‘coaching’ interactions with patrons where instructions are yelled and turn down the music to prevent people from trying to talk over it.
She also suggested that masks be worn at all times in these venues, despite the fact they aren’t mandatory under provincial guidelines.
An outbreak at a Hamilton Catholic elementary school was also declared on Tuesday after two people tested positive for the virus.
This is not the first time that two people in one school have tested positive but in previous cases, the virus was contracted outside of the school setting.
Hamilton has had 15 positive COVID-19 cases in schools and learning centres.
Eisenberger noted that in light of the increasing number of local cases, residents are urged to get away from the idea of social bubbles and to limit contact with people outside of one’s household.
Residents were urged by all three city representatives at Tuesday’s update to redouble their efforts in preventing the spread of the virus by adhering to physical distancing protocols and wearing a mask properly.
Meanwhile, Ontario is reporting 746 new cases of COVID-19, with 807 new cases reported on Monday, Oct. 12.
Health Minister Christine Elliott said that over 67,700 tests were completed.
According to the province, Toronto, Peel and Ottawa reported most new cases, with 311 new infections reported in Toronto, 135 in Peel and 116 in Ottawa.
Nine new deaths were reported on Oct. 13.
The province says 230 people are currently hospitalized, with 60 people being treated in ICUs and 34 patients using ventilators.
— with a file and photo from The Canadian Press
insauga's Editorial Standards and Policies advertising