Hamilton has 28 more cases of COVID-19 Friday, but sidesteps tightened restrictions

Hamilton has 28 new cases of COVID-19 today, the city's second-largest one-day increase ever, and the largest not associated with an outbreak at a long-term care home.

The increase comes on the heels of a 24 new cases on Thursday. It also comes as the province reaches 939 new cases in a day, the highest increase in COVID-19 cases ever.

Many of the cases were inToronto, Peel, and Ottawa, which had336, 150, and 126 new cases on Thursday. But Hamilton officials have mirrored provincial health officials this week in telling residents to only have Thanksgiving dinner with people in their households, and to wear masks and stay physically distant.

Hamilton Public Health Services says the last time the city saw more than 20 cases was on May 15, when there was an outbreak at the Rosslyn Retirement Home. The city saw its peak on April 15, when there were 30 new cases reported, most associated with the Cardinal retirement residence.

But so far, Hamilton has sidestepped new restrictions announced by the province Friday, closing indoor dining, gyms, cinemas, casinos, performing arts centres and racing venues.

Hamilton and other health units were consultedthough, says Dr. David Williams, Ontario's chief medical officer of health.

"We asked them if they should be in [the new restrictions]," he told reporters Friday. "They said no."

As of Thursday, 122 people were known to have the virus in Hamilton,47 people have died of the virus, and 87 per cent of people have recovered. The city has seen1,285 cases, of which 47 have died and 1,099 have recovered. There have been 217 cases per 100,000 people.

Halton saw an increase of 39 cases Thursday, for 1,461 cases overall since March. There are 166 people known to have COVID-19 right now. Twenty-seven people have died in Halton and 1,268 have recovered. The area has also seen223.9 cases per 100,000 people.

In Burlington, there were 15 new cases on Thursday, and 48 active cases. Nine people have died and 279 have recovered.

Niagara has nine new cases today, and has had 1,174overall, of which 998 have recovered and 65 have died. Niagara has had247.4 cases per 100,000 people. There are 111 known to have the virus right now.

Haldimand-Norfolk's had one new case onThursday, and has five active altogether. The counties have seen 425 cases per 100,000 people, largely because of earlier outbreaks at Scotlynn Farms in Vittoria and Anson Place Care Centre in Hagersville. There have been 496 cases overall, of which 454 have recovered and 32 have died.

Brant/Brantford has no new cases Friday, and has seven people known to have the virus right now. There have been 200 cases overall, for a rate of139.8 for every 100,000 people, and 188 have recovered.