Outbreak of COVID-19 in East Hamilton nursing home sees nearly all residents infected

The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Hamilton soared over the weekend as an outbreak at an East End long-term care home has seen almost all residents infected with the virus.

The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Hamilton soared over the weekend as an outbreak at an East End long-term care home has seen almost all residents infected with the virus.

As it stands, there are 64 confirmed cases among residents of The Rosslyn, a 64-bed facility just east of Gage Park, and 19 staff have been infected, according to the city’s website.

There has been one death associated with the outbreak reported — a 70-year-old man. The outbreak was first declared on May 10.

On Friday, public health officials, paramedics and staff from St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton started the process of removing some residents to local hospitals.

Over the weekend, however, the entire facility was emptied.

The city is currently grappling with 10 active outbreaks at long-term care and congregate facilities, the latest being declared at Macassa Lodge on Friday (May 15), where a previous outbreak had been declared over earlier this month.

In total, 78 residents and 29 staff of these facilities contribute to Hamilton’s 593 cases of COVID-19.