COVID spread increasing in Hamilton
COVID-19 spread is on the rise in Hamilton at the same time families are gathering for the holidays.
COVID-19 transmission in Hamilton is moderate and increasing," stated the city's weekly COVID update on Dec. 21. COVID-19 cases, test positivity, and wastewater signal are increasing."
While COVID is going up, flu is on its way down after an unusual early surge in the fall. However, it could return for the traditional influenza season in the winter months.
To prepare, Hamilton Health Sciences (HHS) is trying to get as many kids vaccinated against flu as soon as possible at a clinic in the main lobby of McMaster Children's Hospital. For appointments go to mychart.hhsc.ca/MyChartEpicPRD/openscheduling.
We know the flu wave began earlier this year but we have no insight as to duration and a second wave," said Dr. Tamar Packer, chief of family medicine. The most important thing is that the earlier you get vaccinated, the sooner you accrue protection."
The city reported one new COVID death from Dec. 6 to Dec. 20, to bring pandemic fatalities to 650.
Of the 15 active outbreaks in high-risk settings, nine are COVID, two are influenza A, one is respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and one is Enterobacter cloacae - a bacteria that causes infections in health care settings. Two of the outbreaks are an unspecified respiratory infection.
The vast majority are in long-term care and retirement homes except for the Enterobacter cloacae outbreak, which is in the intensive care unit at Hamilton General Hospital, and COVID outbreaks in two group homes. One of the group homes - AbleLiving Services in Binbrook - has the largest ongoing outbreak with 30 testing positive since Nov. 30.
A surge of viral illness over the last three months has caused a crisis in pediatric care, with record overcrowding and staff shortages at McMaster. Packer said the system has no capacity left for another wave in January.
This winter, I just shudder to think what's going to happen," said Natalie Mehra, executive director of the Ontario Health Coalition. The staff have had it - they're voting with their feet and they're gone. Something has to give here. There has to be some kind of leadership that actually brings about a result that will improve things."
Joanna Frketich is a health reporter at The Spectator. jfrketich@thespec.com