City of Hamilton reports four deaths, 126 COVID cases over weekend
Four more patients suffering the effects of COVID-19 have died in Hamilton, according to the latest updated information from public health.
The City of Hamilton reported over the weekend that among the victims to die with COVID-19 are three people in their 80s, and one who is in their 60s.
Two of those who died lived at Alexander Place long-term-care home in Waterdown.
One of the other deaths was at the Charlton Campus of St. Joseph's Healthcare, and the other was at Juravinski Hospital. Both deaths were in hospital units that are in outbreak status.
The total number of deaths related to COVID-19 in Hamilton now stands at 252, which is three per cent of the 9,183 total cases in the city during the pandemic.
Eighty-nine per cent of all deaths in the city related to the virus have been over age 70.
Over the weekend 19 additional people were reported receiving care for the virus in local hospitals. Seven per cent of all the city's cases - or 669 patients - have received care in a city hospital during the pandemic.
Over the weekend, 126 new COVID cases were reported by the city - 66 on Saturday and 60 on Sunday - and the overall number of active cases now stands at 631. Over the last seven days, 3.3 per cent of COVID-19 tests have come back positive for the virus.
While no new outbreaks were reported on Sunday, the city is reporting 26 ongoing outbreaks at institutions, six in workplaces, and three in schools or daycare facilities.
Twenty-five per cent of all local COVID cases are related to outbreaks.
Meanwhile, Hamilton police reported that two officers working at central station downtown have tested positive. The officers were last at work Jan. 27 and 28, police reported on Twitter Sunday.
Over the weekend the most recent outbreaks reported by the city were those at The Wellington long-term-care home, Community Living on Delancey Boulevard, the Bank of Montreal branch at 886 Barton St. E., and St. Matthew's House children's centre at 414 Barton St. E. where one staff member and one student were infected.
Hamilton Health Sciences facilities currently have 85 patients in care diagnosed with the virus, with outbreaks ongoing at Juravinski Hospital units E2 and F4; Hamilton General's 5W and emergency department; the second floor of the Satellite Health Facility on King St. E. in Effort Square; and West Lincoln Memorial Hospital on C Ward.
St. Joseph's Healthcare is currently treating 34 patients with COVID-19, and on Saturday the hospital confirmed that an outbreak at its West 5th campus first reported Friday night had led to four support staff workers isolating who had tested positive for the virus.
Jon Wells is a Hamilton-based reporter and feature writer for The Spectator. Reach him via email: jwells@thespec.com