Hamilton residents are now catching COVID primarily from unknown sources in the community
The biggest source of recent COVID-19 cases in Hamilton isn't known.
This month, the proportion of recent COVID cases acquired in the community" - which means public health doesn't know where a person was infected - has surpassed all other sources of infection in the city.
But public health advised a high degree of caution" interpreting the numbers.
This shift is still relatively early, not yet a trend," said public health spokesperson Jacqueline Durlov in an email. It is possible that with the smaller numbers, the acquisition exposure data can be skewed."
A case is considered to have come from the community" when a person tests positive but the source of the infection is not known. In other words, the case isn't linked to travel or an outbreak and the person didn't have any known close contact with another COVID case.
This past Sunday, community-acquired cases overtook close contact" spread as the primary source of infection in Hamilton, with more than 40 per cent of cases attributed to the catch-all category.
It has stayed that way all week, with 42.9 per cent of recent cases coming from the community as of Thursday, compared to 34.5 per cent from close contact.
Meanwhile, cases are rising in Hamilton again as some infectious disease experts say we're facing a fourth wave. There were 232 active cases in the city as of 3 p.m. on Thursday, the highest number since June 12. However, hospitalizations are hovering in the low 20s. As of Thursday at 3 p.m., there were 23 people hospitalized with COVID in Hamilton. Of those, 11 were in ICU.
Public health recommends people continue to follow public health measures by keeping at least two-metres distance from others, and when that isn't possible, by wearing a mask and limiting contact with anyone outside their household.
Getting vaccinated as soon as possible remains vital," the city said. Hamilton has multiple clinics offering both walk-ins and appointments. For details, visit The Spec's FAQ page.
Maria Iqbal is a Hamilton-based reporter at The Spectator covering aging. Reach her via email: miqbal@thespec.com.