'Save that beer party': Warm weekend expected, but Hamilton's still on lockdown: mayor

The forecast calls for temperatures as high as 21 C this weekend, but Hamilton's mayor warns people to keep up their pandemic-era measures and not head for Albion Falls.

Fred Eisenberger said during a media briefing Friday that he trusts Hamiltonians will still keep two metres from each other, and obey rules not to climb on playground equipment, use golf courses as leash-free dog parks or visit local waterfalls. People should still stay home except for essential reasons.

"Save that beer party for another day," he said. "That day will come, and hopefully not too far down the road."

"The virus is still very much out there. It hasn't disappeared and still continues to be a problem."

Environment Canada is forecasting a high of 19 C Saturday with a chance of showers late in the afternoon. There's a risk of thunderstorms Saturday evening. Sunday will be warm and sunny, the forecaster says, with a high of 21 C.

Eisenberger said he has faith that people will still follow the rules. Bylaw enforcement officers and police will remain "vigilant" in enforcing the provincial Emergency Measures Act banning groups of more than five, and the city bylaw mandating people to remain two metres from each other.

"I'm not terribly worried," Eisenberger said. "So far, by and large, the city has done what we've asked them to do." 

"We've been at it for a couple of months. To relax now would be tragic."

Premier Doug Ford announced Friday that some businesses will be allowed to reopen as of May 4 at 12:01 a.m. That list is as follows:

• Garden centres and nurseries with curbside pick-up and delivery only.
• Lawn care and landscaping.
• Additional essential construction projects that include shipping and logistics; broadband, telecommunications, and digital infrastructure; any other project that supports the improved delivery of goods and services; municipal projects; colleges and universities; child care centres; schools, and site preparation, excavation, and servicing for institutional, commercial, industrial and residential development.
• Automatic and self-serve car washes.
• Auto dealerships, open by appointment only.
• Golf courses may prepare their courses for the upcoming season, but not open to the public.
• Marinas may begin preparations for the recreational boating season by servicing boats and other watercraft and placing boats in the water, but not be open to the public. Boats and watercraft must be secured to a dock in the marina until public access is allowed.

Overall, Hamilton has 439 cases Friday, an increase of eight from the day before. Of those, 432 are confirmed and seven are probable. Twenty people have died and 261 people who had COVID-19 have recovered. 

There are currently 14 outbreaks in Hamilton, 10 of which are at institutions and three are in the community.

Nineteen COVID-19 patients are being cared for at Hamilton Health Sciences and another 11 at St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton. That's an increase of two hospitalizations from Thursday.

Brant

The Brant County Health Unit has confirmed one more case since Thursday. There are 96 confirmed cases, of which 70 have recovered. Five people have been hospitalized and three have died. There are outbreaks at Telfer Place Long-Term Care in Paris and St. Joseph's Lifecare Centre in Brantford, and a new outbreak has been declared at Briarwood Gardens Retirement Home in Brantford. 

Haldimand-Norfolk

There are 194 confirmed cases in the Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit, of which 48 have recovered and 30 have died. There are outbreaks at Anson Place Care Centre in Hagersville, where 27 people have died. There are also outbreaks at Caressant Care in Courtland and Parkview Meadows in Townsend.

On Thursday, there were 191 confirmed cases. 

Halton

Halton has 521 cases of COVID-19, of which 461 are confirmed and 60 are probable. That's an increase of six cases compared to the day before. Twenty-two people have died and 371 have recovered. 

Burlington has 107 cases, of which 93 are confirmed and 14 are probable. There is a declared outbreak at Village of Tansley Woods retirement home in Burlington, which impacts the whole facility minus the Emma Home area. 

Niagara

One more person has died since Thursday, bringing the number of COVID-19 deaths in Niagara to 45. The region has 494 confirmed cases, an increase of 11 from the day before. Of those, 261 have recovered and 188 are still active.

Niagara Health announced a new outbreak today in the Trillium Unit at the Greater Niagara General Site in Niagara Falls.

"This outbreak was declared as a result of a healthcare-associated case involving a healthcare worker on
the unit," Niagara Health said in a media release.