Hamilton reports 92 new COVID cases; outbreak at downtown shelter hits 24 cases

Hamilton public health is reporting one new COVID death and 92 new cases as an outbreak at a Salvation Army men's shelter continues to grow.

The outbreak at the Salvation Army Hamilton Booth Centre shelter, located at 94 York Blvd., has now spread to 24 people - 22 clients and two staff. The outbreak was first declared Feb. 10.

On Friday, the shelter reported 18 residents and three staff members had the virus. It's not clear why public health's count only lists two staff.

On Friday, Glenn van Gulik, spokesperson for the Salvation Army Ontario Division, said the 18 infected residents have been isolated in the chapel and a dormitory to prevent the spread of the virus. The isolation move came at the direction of the city's public health services. The shelter has an 82-bed capacity.

The team at the Booth Centre is doing everything that they can. Right now, more than ever, we need the community support to rally around the team there," van Gulik said Friday.

All that is known about the one death reported Saturday is that the person was in their 70s.

As of Saturday, there are 19 other ongoing outbreaks in the city, including six in shelter settings or sites that support vulnerable Hamiltonians.

Public health reported two new outbreaks Saturday. One is at St. Ann Catholic Elementary School, with two cases in staff, and the other is at Juravinski Hospital's musculoskeletal oncology rehabilitation M2 unit, with three cases in patients and one in a staff member.

There are a total of 353 active cases in the city and 45 people are in hospital with COVID.

Katrina Clarke is a Hamilton-based reporter at The Spectator. Reach her via email: katrinaclarke@thespec.com