Still just 1 case of COVID-19 at the Barton jail, and 6 more in all of Hamilton

Fears that COVID-19 would spread at the Hamilton-Wentworth Detention Centre have so far proven unfounded.

An inmate at the Barton jail tested positive for COVID-19 on April 24. As of Thursday, Hamilton Public Health Services still lists just one case at the jail.

Some health-care professionals and prisoners' rights groups have worried the virus would spread rapidly in jails and prisons. In Hamilton, measures such as personal protective equipment for staff, temperature checks for staff and visitors, restricting visitors and separating new arrivals for two weeks seem to be working.

The province is also "proactively reducing the inmate population," said Kristy Denette, spokesperson for the Ministry of the Solicitor General.

A centralized team reviews the cases of low-risk offenders who have nearly completed their sentences, she said. The ministry is working with courts and police to "[allow] intermittent inmates to serve their sentence in the community."

All of the province's jails are under capacity right now, she said in an email. That includes the Hamilton-Wentworth Detention Centre.

"The health and safety of our staff and those in our custody is the top priority," she said.

A group called the Barton Jail Solidarity Project held a demonstration in April calling for measures to curb the spread, including better access to cleaning products and personal protective equipment.

Cedar Hopperton, a member of the project, said the lack of new cases seems like good news.

"I hope it's true," Hopperton said. "I hope it's not just because they're just not looking. If it is true, it's great news."

Denette said there are no confirmed cases among inmates or staff at Niagara Detention Centre in Thorold.

Overall, Hamilton has 474 cases (469 confirmed, five probable). That's an increase of six cases over Wednesday's total. Twenty-three people have died and 314 (66 per cent) have recovered.

Nine people are hospitalized with COVID-19 at St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, and 16 at Hamilton Health Sciences. 

There are eight institutional outbreaks and one community outbreak. Public health declares an outbreak even if one resident or staff member tests positive.

There are outbreaks at Regina Gardens, Wentworth Lodge, a Mission Services women's shelter, Heritage Green Nursing Home, St. Elizabeth's Villa, the Barrett Centre for Crisis Support, St. Joseph's Villa, St. Joseph's Healthcare's Charlton and West 5th campuses, the Hamilton-Wentworth Detention Centre, Dundurn Place Care Centre, and St. Peter's Hospital.

Brant

Case numbers in Brant County and Brantford are stable for the fourth day in a row. There are 99 cases, of which five are hospitalized and three have died. Eighty people have recovered.

There are outbreaks at Telfer Place in Paris (one resident), Brierwood Gardens in Brantford (one staff) and St. Joseph's Lifecare Centre in Brantford (two staff).

Haldimand-Norfolk

For the fourth day in a row, Haldimand and Norfolk counties have no new cases of COVID-19. The Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit's website has listed 196 cases since Sunday. The number of deaths remains at 30, and two more people have recovered since Wednesday, for a total of 58.

There are outbreaks at Anson Place in Hagersville, Parkview Meadows in Townsend and Caressant Care in Courtland.

Halton

Halton has six new cases Thursday, and Burlington doesn't have any.

Halton has 568 cases, with 506 confirmed and 62 probable. Twenty-three people have died and 420 recovered.

In Burlington, there are 110 cases, with 95 confirmed, and 15 probable. Eighty-three people have recovered and seven have died. 

Niagara

There are 542 confirmed cases in Niagara, with 371 resolved (have recovered). To date the region has had 53 deaths.  Just over 16 per cent of its case were  hospitalized, with 3.1 per cent in intensive care. Twenty-two per cent have been health-care workers

There are outbreaks at Niagara Health hospitals in Niagara Falls and St. Catharines, and also at Lundy Manor in Niagara Falls, Henley House in St. Catharines and Seasons Welland and Royal Rose Place in Welland.