Hamilton reports its youngest COVID-19 death — a person in their 30s
Hamilton reported its youngest COVID-19 death on Saturday, the day it marked the highest single-day jump in cases in three weeks.
A person in their 30s has died with COVID-19, according to public health. It is unclear if the individual had underlying health issues.
We don't speak to individual cases, however our hearts go out to all those in our community impacted by COVID-19," a public health spokesperson, James Berry, wrote in an email.
Public health includes all COVID-19 patients in its death count regardless of whether the virus contributed to the death.
Hamilton also reported 105 new COVID-19 cases, marking the highest single-day jump in cases since Jan. 22.
The rise in cases comes as the city prepares to move out of the province's stay-at-home order Tuesday and into the red-control" zone, despite concerns expressed by the city's medical officer health about COVID-19 variants entering the city.
As always, it's important to focus on the seven-day average and not on the day-to-day fluctuations," Berry said.
Eleven more cases in the city have been hospitalized since Friday, for a total of 724 since the pandemic began. The weekly rate of new cases per 100,000 grew from 43 to 49 on Feb. 13.
Two other deaths were reported in the city on Saturday, both of which appear to be in people older than 80.
Two deaths appear to be linked to ongoing outbreaks. Juravinski Hospital's Unit E2 reported a new death, its third since Jan. 25.
The outbreak on the fifth floor of St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton's Alternate Health Facility also had a new death and two new cases. Two people have died in the outbreak since Feb. 3.
Hamilton Police reported an officer has tested positive for COVID-19. The officer worked at Central Station on Friday, police Tweeted Saturday afternoon, noting the service is working with public health on contact tracing.
Two new outbreaks were also declared as of Friday. A Good Shepherd shelter at Cathedral Boys School has one patron case, and Domino's Pizza at 1171 Upper James St. has three staff cases.
There are 18 active outbreaks in the city, with the two largest in long-term-care homes. The Meadows and the city-run Macassa Lodge both have more than 50 cases each. Wentworth Lodge, Hamilton's other municipally run care home, is also in outbreak with one staff case as of Thursday.
The outbreak on the sixth floor of St. Joseph's Alternate Health Facility was declared over along with the outbreaks at Alexander Place long-term-care home in Waterdown and Highgate Residence, a retirement home in Ancaster.
Maria Iqbal's reporting is funded by the Canadian government through its Local Journalism Initiative. The funding allows her to report on stories focused on aging issues. Reach her via email: miqbal@thespec.com.