Rebecca Towers outbreak declared over as city records 77 COVID-19 cases
A COVID-19 outbreak at a downtown Hamilton apartment complex that infected more than 100 residents has been declared over.
Hamilton public health reported Friday that the outbreak at Rebecca Towers, where 107 residents and three staff members tested positive since mid-March, has ended. One person died in the outbreak.
The end of the outbreak comes after weeks of on-site testing and vaccinations, spurred by calls from the building's tenant committee. Concerns surrounding how the virus spread were also raised amid the outbreak, as only one elevator had been operational prior to it being declared.
In an email to The Spectator, public health spokesperson James Berry said the outbreak was declared over as it had been two weeks since the last onset of a confirmed COVID-19 case (May 13), where that case could have resulted in further exposure to the virus within the building."
Two cases were still active as of Friday, he added.
In a Twitter thread Friday, the tenant committee celebrated the end of the outbreak while acknowledging the loss of one resident.
They also thanked the paramedics, health-care workers, community organizations and the building's one and only" cleaner for their assistance during the outbreak.
An outbreak at the Wellington Place apartment complex that infected 45 residents has also been declared over. The Village Apartments on Queen Street North remain in outbreak with a total of 74 cases connected to the building.
Hamilton public health recorded 77 new cases of COVID-19 on Friday as well as two new deaths.
Both of the new deaths appear to be Hamiltonians over the age of 80, according to The Spectator's records. A new death has also been associated with the outbreak at St. Peter's Hospital Unit 3E, which has seen three deaths in the outbreak declared April 30.
There are 34 active outbreaks in the city, with no new outbreaks declared Friday.
Outbreaks at Latitude Air Ambulance, Hatts Off on Delaware Avenue and Paramount Landscaping Inc. were all declared over.
Key COVID metrics in Hamilton also continued to fall Friday, a sign that the third wave could be waning.
The average daily cases fell to 71, down from 94 on May 24. The seven-day rolling average is the lowest it has been since mid-March.
The city's hospitals were caring for 77 COVID patients Friday, 43 of which are in ICU.
Fallon Hewitt is a Hamilton-based reporter at The Spectator. Reach her via email: fhewitt@thespec.com