Hamilton avoids ‘lockdown’ as Province announces tighter restrictions in other regions

Published December 4, 2020 at 1:04 pm

Hamilton will remain “red” as the Ontario government tightens restrictions on three more regions in an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19.

Moving into the “orange” zone are the Middlesex-London and Thunder Bay areas, it was announced Friday (Dec. 4).

The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit moves to the “yellow” category of the province’s COVID-19 restriction system.

The new designations kick in on Monday.

The change to orange includes restrictions on visitors to long-term care homes and beefed-up testing in the facilities.

The measures will be in place for at least 28 days.

“Over the last seven days, we have seen the trends in key public health indicators continue to go in the wrong direction in these three regions,” Health Minister Christine Elliott said.

“By taking proactive action and moving these regions to a higher level in the framework, we are helping them to reduce transmission in the community and avoid broader closures.”

Meanwhile, Hamilton reported 69 newly confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Thursday (Dec. 3) to bring the total number of cases to 3,360.

Hamilton Public Health Services (PHS) confirmed that over the last two days, two more COVID-19 related deaths have occurred bringing the local toll to 94.

A woman in her mid-80s who was a resident of St. Joseph’s Villa died on Monday (Nov. 30) and a woman in her early-80s who was a resident of Grace Villa died Wednesday (Dec. 2).

There are currently 23 active outbreaks in local LTCs, workplaces, schools and daycares and other community settings.

The outbreak at Chartwell Willowgrove LTC in Ancaster, which was declared on October 22, continues to see more cases and deaths.

Since its declaration, close to 90 people have tested positive for the virus and 16 residents have died.

According to PHS data posted on the City of Hamilton website, there is believed to be 561 active cases of the virus in the community at the moment.

According to the data shared on the province of Ontario’s website, there are 47 COVID-19 cases among staff and students at 30 schools across the city.

On Wednesday, an outbreak of the virus was declared at Wilfred Laurier Elementary School in East Hamilton after two staff members — who, according to the school, do not provide direct instruction to students — tested positive.

Ontario is reporting 1,824 new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday, and 14 new deaths due to the virus.

Health Minister Christine Elliott says there are 592 new cases in Peel Region, 396 cases in Toronto, and 187 cases in York Region.

— with files from The Canadian Press

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