One death connected to the General’s neurosurgery outbreak, 10 more COVID patients in hospital
There are four new deaths connected to outbreaks and 78 new COVID cases in Hamilton.
Public health reported two new outbreaks Wednesday as the outbreak at Shalom Village, the city's second-largest outbreak, grew by 14. There have now been 184 cases connected to the Macklin Street North long-term-care home since the outbreak was declared Dec. 9.
Of the new deaths, two are at Shalom Village, bringing the home's death toll to 19, and one is at St. Elizabeth's Retirement Residence, bringing the death toll to four. One death is being reported at Hamilton General Hospital, which has a COVID outbreak in its 7 West neurosurgery unit.
It is unclear if the death at the General is in a patient or a staff member. The hospital says it can't confirm due to privacy. There are six COVID cases in staff - three of which are new as of Wednesday - and two in patients. The hospital directed The Spectator to contact public health for more information. The Spec is waiting to hear back.
Despite the outbreak-related deaths jumping by four, strangely, public health only included one new death in its tally Wednesday. Its website lists 191 total deaths since the pandemic began, up from 190 Tuesday. The one new death is listed as a person 80 or older.
Public health reports deaths in its overall tally and its outbreak chart. The outbreak chart is what shows the four new deaths Wednesday. The numbers sometimes conflict. The Spectator has asked for clarification on the death discrepancy and is waiting to hear back.
Wednesday's newly-reported outbreaks are at Good Shepherd Centre, with one case in a staff member, and Lynwood Charlton Centre, an eight-bed treatment program for youth experiencing emotional, social, and behavioural challenges in Flamborough, with one case in a staff member.
Outbreaks are now declared over at Choices Supportive Group Living and St. Leonard's Society of Hamilton. There was just one case connected to each outbreak.
There are 27 active outbreaks in the city.
As of Wednesday, there have been 1,866 total COVID cases in the city. Of those, 1,641 are active and 4,964 are resolved.
There are 87 COVID patients in Hamilton hospitals, 10 more than the previous day. St. Joseph's Healthcare is caring for 24 patients and Hamilton Health Sciences has 63 COVID patients.
More to come ...
Katrina Clarke is a Hamilton-based reporter at The Spectator. Reach her via email: katrinaclarke@thespec.com