Hamilton surpasses 1,000 active COVID-19 cases

Six more people have died as Hamilton's active COVID-19 case count surpassed 1,000 for the first time since the pandemic began.

The city reported 132 new infections as of 3 p.m. on Dec. 22, bringing Hamilton's active cases to 1,059.

It comes on the day the city is set to begin vaccinations. About 30 long-term-care workers in Hamilton were expected to receive the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine Wednesday afternoon, said a release from Hamilton Health Sciences. Members of the public cannot yet receive the vaccine.

Five of the new deaths appear to be in people over the age of 80. The remaining death appears to be in a person aged 70 to 79, based on The Spectator's records. There have now been 147 deaths in Hamilton.

Three new deaths were reported at Grace Villa long-term-care home, where the biggest and deadliest outbreak has now had 29 deaths in the 28 days since the outbreak began.

Shalom Village has nine deaths, which is no change from what the facility reported at a town hall Monday afternoon.

Lynwood Charlton Centre on Augusta Street and Dundurn Place Care Centre - a downtown long-term-care home - are new outbreaks, with one staff case each.

There are 32 active outbreaks in Hamilton.

The city remains in lockdown, which prohibits indoor gathering, dining and shopping - other than essentials like grocery and pharmacy - until at least Jan. 18, 2021.

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.