Hamilton’s 10 confirmed COVID-19 cases are all travel-related: Mayor

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Published March 16, 2020 at 8:49 pm

The number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Hamilton has risen to 10.

The number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Hamilton has risen to 10.

All of the new cases in Hamilton are travel-related and there is no further information available on the new cases, said Mayor Fred Eisenberger at a media update Monday (March 16).

“Things continue to evolve quickly,” Eisenberger said.

The City is planning to hold a virtual Town Hall on Wednesday at 7 p.m., the mayor said. Eisenberger, Medical Officer of Health Elizabeth Richardson and Paul Johnson, the director of Hamilton’s Emergency Operations Centre, will provide more updates and information and will respond to questions from residents.

Eisenberger also told reporters that pressing council issues will be addressed at a consolidated General Issues Committee meeting being held on Friday (March 20). An agenda will be made available Tuesday and delegations are asked to submit written delegations and he said social distancing precautions will be in place.

The city also opened two coronavirus screening centres on Monday; one in the city’s west end and one in Stoney Creek.

Johnson wanted to remind residents that “they are not a drop-in centre.”

These clinics will be by appointment only and will only see people who have a referral from their doctor or Hamilton Public Health Services.

He reminded residents that before going to an assessment centre to:

  • Complete a self-assessment at https://www.ontario.ca/coronavirus to determine if it is necessary to contact Public Health, their doctor or Telehealth Ontario for more guidance.
  • If the assessment indicates that clinical assessment is necessary, individuals can contact the health care professionals listed below for further guidance: Their family doctor; Hamilton Public Health Services COVID-19 Hotline at (905) 974-9848; Telehealth Ontario at 1 866-797-0000
  • Individuals will be referred and booked to visit an Assessment Centre by one of the above health care professionals.

More assessment centres are likely to open as the outbreak continues and spreads.

In terms of the closure of city facilities, Johnson said they’re all undergoing a deep clean and disinfection so they’re ready to reopen.

He also had a friendly reminder about social distancing and March 17.

“In light of St. Patrick’s Day, social distancing is critically important,” Johnson said.

HSR will soon start operating on a revised schedule, Johnson announced. Services will run on a Saturday schedule all days except Sunday starting Monday, March 23. Sundays will operate on the usual Sunday schedule.

There will be no changes to DARTS right now and he noted that they’ve seen a reduction in the number of people using DARTS since many of the programs and services that have been cancelled were what the ridership largely accessed.

And finally, Johnson told reporters that the city and service providers met Monday to discuss homeless Hamiltonians and how they were being cared for throughout this health crisis. More details on the meeting and the plan for helping the city’s most vulnerable will likely be announced Tuesday.

Eisenberger wrapped up the update by reminding people that there’s no shortage of food so “There’s no need to hoard. Please be reasonable.

“Look after your neighbours, look after your family and friends. We can get through this together.”

Photo courtesy The Canadian Press

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