Active COVID cases in Hamilton climb to new record; four new outbreaks reported

Hamilton reported four new COVID-19 outbreaks Sunday as active cases in the city climbed to a record number in the new year.

Hamilton hit a record 1,570 active COVID cases, up from 1,523 on Saturday, after 136 new infections were reported. The city also reported three more people with the virus have died, including a resident of Shalom Village, bringing total COVID-linked deaths in Hamilton to 177.

Case numbers continue to climb despite a second Hamilton lockdown enforced as of Dec. 18 and the start of local COVID vaccinations that will focus first on long-term-care residents, staff and health-care workers.

Mayor Fred Eisenberger welcomed the fledgling vaccination program during his virtual New Year's Levee Sunday - but also warned residents to keep up pandemic precautions or risk seeing viral spread spin out of control."

A sustained spike in infections, he said, could result in a return to an even stricter lockdown of the type that closed schools and limited resident use of outdoor facilities last March.

I don't want to go there. I don't want to have to announce additional deaths. I don't want to have to announce higher case counts on a day-to-day basis," he said. The more spread we see, the more compromised our health-care system is going to be and potentially, the more deaths."

The weekend also saw Halton paramedics celebrating the start of COVID vaccinations after a public lobbying campaign.

Vanessa Vis, president of the Halton paramedic union local, posted a photo of herself receiving the Pfizer shot Jan. 1 and told The Spectator her members were among the first paramedics in Ontario be vaccinated.

We're pretty excited about it," said Vis, an advanced care paramedic who battled a COVID-19 infection last year. She estimated about 40 of her colleagues were invited to receive a shot on Dec. 31 and Jan. 1, with other appointment slots expected in the coming weeks.

Vis and other union leaders across the GTA had previously voiced concern when Ontario's vaccination task force leader, retired Gen. Rick Hillier, suggested paramedics would likely have to wait until March, if not later, to receive a shot.

We were quite concerned about that, because a big part of our job is being around vulnerable people - we're in and out of long-term-care homes, around elderly people every day," Vis said. We want to make sure we can keep the public safe as well as ourselves and our families."

The province later clarified paramedics are considered part of first grouping" of health-care workers who can expect early access to a shot, although the first priority remains vulnerable" populations like long-term-care residents and staff.

A small number" of workers involved in the Hamilton community paramedic program have also been invited for early vaccinations, said local union leader Mario Posteraro.

But he emphasized Hamilton paramedics will be disappointed" if hundreds of other members have to wait until the end of March for vaccination. I would say the message from the province about how paramedics are prioritized has been muddled," he said. We are health-care workers ...(and) protecting paramedics means protecting the public."

Hamilton continues to struggle with growing COVID hospitalizations - 68 as of Jan. 1 - and continuing new outbreaks. There are about 32 outbreaks in institutions, workplaces and the community now.

Outbreaks were declared Jan. 2 at the temporary Good Shepherd men's shelter at the former Cathedral Boys' High School, at Parkview Nursing Centre on King Street West, and at Caroline Place Retirement Residence near downtown. One staff member tested positive at each care facility.

Also on Jan. 2 an outbreak was declared at Aberdeen Gardens Retirement Residence on Dundurn Street, after a resident tested positive.

The outbreak at The Meadows, declared Dec. 16, has grown from 17 total cases Saturday to 24. Sixteen residents, seven staff and one visitor have tested positive at the Ancaster long-term-care home.

An outbreak at E3 teaching unit of Juravinski Hospital, declared Jan. 1 has grown to eight cases from four Saturday. Seven patients and one staff member have tested positive.

Matthew Van Dongen is a Hamilton-based reporter covering transportation for The Spectator. Reach him via email: mvandongen@thespec.com