Hamilton breaks daily record with 71 new COVID-19 cases

Hamilton reported 71 new cases of COVID-19 Thursday, the highest daily number so far during the pandemic.

A spokesperson for public health confirmed the record-breaking number is not the result of a data issue.

The city has seen 2,797 cases throughout the pandemic (both probable and confirmed). Statisticsfrom public health showed 338 of those cases were active, while 2,373 were resolved.

Eighty-one people in the city who were infected with the virus have died.

"The good news is we haven't seen substantial movement in terms of case numbers worsening," said Dr. Elizabeth Richardson, Hamilton's medical officer of health, during a media update Thursday.

"The bad news is we haven't seen substantial improvement in case numbers getting better."

Richardson said health officials are continuing to see the majority of spread happen among close contacts under the same roof and people socializing while not following COVID-19 protocols.

The high number of cases puts "a lot of pressure" on staff, she added.

Holidays will be much more virtual

Looking toward the holidays, the doctor said it's "imperative" the way people celebrate looks different this year.

"Our numbers have continued to fluctuate right around that 50 per 100,000 per week mark, which puts us solidly in that red zone," said Richardson.

"There's no doubt that this isn't going to end in the next couple weeks."

She said it's OK to celebrate in-person with people in one's immediate household, but virtual celebrations should take place with everyone else.

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Richardson also acknowledged the sacrifices people have made but said the case numbers won't drop unless people start making changes.

"People are tired of their lives being different and disrupted and it seems like there is no end in sight. I can assure you my colleagues in public health services and I'm sure in many organizations and businesses feel the same way too."

3 new outbreaks, including at a school

There are 21 outbreaks in the city, three of which were declared on Wednesday.

Two residents at Grace Villa Long Term Care Home are infected, four employees atUniversal Precision Technology tested positive.

The third outbreak is atRehoboth Christian School in Copetown where one studentand one staff member have the virus.

The outbreak at Aberdeen Gardens was declared over on Wednesday.

Brant

Fourteen new cases of COVID-19 were recorded in Brant in the past 24 hours, according to the county's website.

Brant and Brantford have tallied 475 confirmed cases, including 399 that are recovered and 71 that are active.

Five people have died.

Haldimand-Norfolk

Haldimand-Norfolk have reported 637 positive cases throughout the pandemic.

Thirty-nine of those cases are active and 561recovered.

Thirty-two deaths in the counties are considered COVID-related.

Halton

The number of cases in Halton rose by 101for a total of 3,469 (both confirmed and probable).

The public health unit said on Wednesday an issue with the provincial database led to the jump in new cases.

Data from health officials shows 2,802 have recovered and 607 were active Wednesday.

Sixtypeople who had COVID-19 have died.

Niagara

Niagara has seen a total of 2,059 cases since the pandemic began.

Of those, 213were active Wednesday and 1,763resolved.

Eighty-three people with the virus have died and 20 outbreaks are ongoing.