Three new COVID deaths and 124 new cases in Hamilton

Hamilton has three new COVID-19 deaths and 124 new COVID cases.

The new deaths include two people 80 or older and one person in their 60s.

Public health reported five new outbreaks Wednesday. They include: Aldershot Greenhouses in Ancaster with two staff cases, Ancaster Meadow Elementary School with two student cases, Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Elementary School with two student cases, Jayne Industries Inc. with four staff cases, and Arrell Youth Centre correctional facility with one staff case.

One of the new outbreaks, Jayne Industries Inc., a stainless steel and hardware supplier in Stoney Creek, includes cases screening positive for a variant of concern.

There are now 44 active outbreaks in the city.

Meanwhile, on Wednesday, Premier Doug Ford said an announcement is coming tomorrow on possible new restrictions to quell the third wave of COVID-19. He warned people to not gather over the upcoming Easter weekend.

Outbreaks now declared over include West Valley Suites supportive housing, Elmhurst Place supportive housing and Guardian Limeridge pharmacy.

There are 816 active COVID cases in the city. Hamilton's reproductive rate stands at 1.12 per cent and the per cent positivity rate is 4.3 per cent. There are 97 people in Hamilton hospitals with COVID. The new deaths bring Hamilton's COVID death toll to 315.

In recent weeks, 837 cases have screened positive for a variant of concern. A total of 14 cases have been confirmed as the U.K. variant B.1.1.7.

Katrina Clarke is a Hamilton-based reporter at The Spectator. Reach her via email: katrinaclarke@thespec.com