Active COVID-19 cases dropping at Hamilton Salvation Army shelter
The tide is turning on a coronavirus outbreak at the Salvation Army men's shelter in Hamilton.
Social-service agencies that operate other shelters in the city are holding out hope that outbreaks will wane after a recent spike in cases.
The sun's shining outside and it's feeling a little more hopeful in here, too," Katherine Kalinowski, chief operating officer of Good Shepherd Centres, said Wednesday.
Of 47 cases in residents at the Salvation Army's Booth Centre, six remain active from the outbreak that started Feb. 10, says a doctor involved with testing and vaccinations.
Almost out of the woods," Dr. Kerry Beal, lead physician with the Shelter Health Network, said Wednesday.
The six who are still infected are expected to recover in coming days, Beal said. Until then, they're staying in an isolation shelter.
The Salvation Army has seen the highest number of cases among less serious outbreaks across the local shelter system in recent weeks.
On Wednesday, public health reported the Booth Centre outbreak had reached 60 cases (47 residents and 13 staffers).
The total for the Good Shepherd men's shelter on Mary Street reached 14 (nine residents and five staffers) since Feb. 15.
On James Street North, the Mission Services men's shelter, in outbreak since Feb. 18, had 11 cases (10 residents and one staffer).
The only women's shelter with cases was Mary's Place (Good Shepherd) where three residents had tested positive.
If all goes well with testing, Mission Services expects the outbreak at its men's shelter to end March 14.
In fact, the 10 residents who'd tested positive have already returned to the shelter, said Wendy Kennelly, associate executive director.
Good Shepherd has its fingers crossed" that its men's shelter outbreak will end around March 17, Kalinowski said.
Meanwhile, Shelter Health Network, public health and agency partners are immunizing like mad," Beal said.
In an initial round of mobile vaccination clinics, at least 200 people at shelters or drop-in centres received vaccines, she noted. Beal hopes to reach more at clinics Friday.
Shelter operators said staff continue to receive vaccinations, as well. In an email late Wednesday, the city said roughly 440 shelter users and staff had received their first doses.
The city has booked hotel rooms as overflow space for people who are homeless during the pandemic, but shelters have been forced to halt admissions amid the outbreaks.
Good Shepherd's temporary operation at the former Cathedral Boys' school has remained open to newcomers despite an outbreak, thanks to separated quarters, Kalinowski noted.
On Wednesday, the province announced Hamilton would receive $12.3 million to support efforts to keep coronavirus at bay in the shelter system and help prevent homelessness during the pandemic.
Teviah Moro is a Hamilton-based reporter at The Spectator. Reach him via email: tmoro@thespec.com