A note of optimism about impact of social distancing, even as Hamilton records 10th death

Even as Hamilton announced its 10th COVID-19 related death, city officials Wednesday expressed optimism that physical distancing measures are having an impact on the trajectory of the virus. 

"We're not past the peak here yet...we are very glad to see that the kinds of measures that we've been talking about...have all been making a difference and we have absolutely seen the numbers level off more so than we might have expected as a result of that," chief medical officer of health Dr. Elizabeth Richardson said Wednesday. 

She added that it's still "a very serious situation" and people still need to follow public health advice. 

On Monday, a 62-year-old woman died after contracting COVID-19 through the community, Richardson confirmed. She is the city's youngest COVID victim so far.

It's unclear whether or not the victim died in hospital, but the woman was not a resident of a long-term care or a retirement home. 

As of Wednesday morning, Hamilton has 271 confirmed positive COVID-19 cases, with five more probable cases.

Of the city's seven institutional outbreaks, one has been resolved, said Richardson during the virtual town hall held Wednesday night. 

Wentworth Lodge, where one staff member tested positive, was cleared Wednesday afternoon as Richardson said enough time had passed with no new cases. 

The six active outbreaks include five long-term care and retirement homes and another in a Special Nursery Care at St. Joseph's Healthcare, which has had no further cases. 

Cases in other homes include: 

• Heritage Green Nursing Home has 11 infected residents, three infected staff and three deaths as of Monday
• Cardinal Retirement has 26 cases, 16 in staff members Wednesday and has had three deaths, more test results are pending
• Chartwell Deerview has one case in a staff member
• Kingsberry Retirement Home has two resident cases
• Clarion Nursing Home has one case in a staff member. 

Of the city's total confirmed cases, 38 have been hospitalized, 39 are within long-term care or retirement home facilities and 123 have recovered. 

The majority of cases have been the result of community spread or close contact with an existing case.

At this time, the city has two assessment centres where 2,270 tests have been completed since March 16.

City officials said they are aiming to expand testing in the coming weeks, specifically around long-term care and retirement homes. 

Richardson said they are looking to open another assessment centre, with Mayor Fred Eisenberger saying that more information would be available later this week. 

Other updates from COVID-19 Virtual Town Hall 

During the city's virtual town hall Wednesday evening, the first one conducted via Zoom, city officials continued to remind residents to stay at home. 

Eisenberger said that at this time police and by-law officers have given out about a handful of $500 fines under the city's new physical distancing by-law. 

He said these fines aren't for revenue, but to try to get people to comply with the rules that are in place. 

Eisenberger also said that by the end of the May the city will likely run a $24 million deficit, one that could end up being $50 million if the pandemic lasts until the end of summer. 

Director of the city's emergency operations centre Paul Johnson added that some small construction projects across the city have been put on pause, but others that are essential to maintaining people's safety will continue. 

Overall, Eisenberger said he's "quite pleased" with the way Hamiltonians have been abiding by the rules and staying at home, but he said that doesn't mean now is the time to relax as they have not yet "seen the peak of the issue." 

The city said they are open to personal protective equipment donations, but noted that home-made supplies will not be accepted.