Number of active COVID-19 cases in Hamilton on the decline

Hamilton is reporting two more COVID-19-related deaths on Tuesday (Feb. 1) which brings the local death toll to 486.

Hamilton Public Health Services (HPHS) data posted to the City of Hamilton website shows that there are 108 newly confirmed cases of the virus on Tuesday.

There are 8,095 active cases of the virus in the community at the moment (down from 8,381 reported on Monday) and 56 active outbreaks.

The city’s website, though, warns that the data does not fully reflect COVID-19 activity in the community as testing criteria has changed.

As of Tuesday, there are 75 people in local hospitals with COVID-19 (up from 70 in the last 24 hours) who were sent to hospital because of the virus, of which 14 are in local ICUs.

Hamilton hospitals

Hamilton Health Sciences (HHS) is reporting that of the current 165 patients with COVID-19 in their hospitals, 114 were admitted for other reasons and have tested positive. There is a total of 22 people in HHS ICUs with the virus as of Tuesday.

The health-care provider also reports that 222 of its employees are currently self-isolating (down from 257 the day previous) and its ICU capacity sits at 90 per cent.

St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton is reporting that of the 75 patients in their hospital with COVID-19, 28 were admitted for other reasons and have since tested positive. There are 16 people in the St. Joe’s ICU with the virus.

There are currently 84 staff and physicians from St. Joe’s who are self-isolating and ICU occupancy sits at 94 per cent.

Ontario numbers

Ontario reported 3,091 people in hospital Tuesday with COVID-19 and 568 people in intensive care. That’s down from 4,008 hospitalizations and 594 in ICU a week ago.

The province also reported 63 more COVID-19 deaths.

Eight schools were listed Tuesday as being closed due to COVID-19 operational reasons, and 156 schools reported staff and student absence rates of 30 per cent or more.

Education Minister Stephen Lecce also announced Tuesday that 3.6 million more rapid antigen tests are being sent to schools for students and staff.

— with a file from The Canadian Press