COVID-19 Update: Updates from the City of Hamilton - Oct. 13, 2020

HAMILTON, ON - Earlier today, Mayor Fred Eisenberger joined Dr. Elizabeth Richardson, Medical Officer of Health, and the City’s Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) Director, Paul Johnson to update media and the community on the City’s response to COVID-19.

As of today, there are a total of 1407 cases, an increase of 12 positive cases from yesterday and 47 deaths from COVID-19 in Hamilton.  We are also reporting that of the 1407 cases, 1165 or 83% are resolved, resulting in 194 active cases. More details about cases are available on the City’s website including demographics, risk factors, exposure, etc.

Waterfall Reservations
The fall season is a wonderful to get out and enjoy the fall colours at Hamilton’s trails and waterfalls. The City of Hamilton is working with the Hamilton Conservation Authority to implement new measures to ensure everyone can enjoy these areas safely. Before you head to the waterfalls, plan ahead and check www.conservationhamilton.ca for information on how to reserve your spot to visit. To limit the number of people gathering together, only visitors with reservations will be allowed entry. Parking in the area outside of the parking lots could result in fines of $250.

Social Circles & Social Gatherings
With cases of COVID-19 on the rise in Hamilton and across Ontario, it is recommended that residents move away from the concept of the “social circle” and limit close interactions to those within their households.

Trends in COVID-19 cases in Hamilton are showing that the virus is most commonly being transmitted at private social gatherings, in situations where people are not practicing appropriate physical distancing, and when people are not wearing masks indoors or in other settings where physical distancing is a challenge. It’s important for people to carefully consider what kind of activities they are engaging in right now. Limiting your close social interactions to those who are within your household is the best way to limit the spread of COVID-19.

Gathering restrictions set by the province remain unchanged. However, it’s important to remember that guests at social gatherings should physically distance and remain two metres/six feet from all other guests outside their household. Private unstaffed/unsupervised events or gatherings continue to have a limit of 10 people or less for indoor gatherings, and 25 people or less for outdoor gatherings. While holding gatherings of this size is legal, maintaining two metres (six feet) of physical distance from other guests is paramount.

Masks & Face Coverings
City Council recently approved a bylaw to require masks in common areas of hotels, motels, apartment buildings, condominiums and other multi-unit buildings or townhouse complexes (including those that permit short term rentals), such as lobbies, elevators, meeting rooms, or other common use facilities.

As a reminder, your mask or face covering should cover your nose, mouth and chin, without gapping. Plastic face shields that come from your chin or forehead do not meet the requirements under the by-law.

For those using the public transit system, we remind you that you should keep your mask on for your whole trip – not just when you’re getting ON the bus. If you need a mask, HSR is distributing non-medical masks at the HSR ticket counter at the Hunter Go Station during regular business hours: Monday to Friday 8:30 am – 4:30 pm. Distribution is limited to one mask per person, while supplies last.

Public Health Measures are Paramount
As we enter the second wave of COVID-19 in Ontario, it is up to all of us to help prevent the spread of the disease. Residents can help reduce the transmission of COVID-19 in our community by:

• Washing hands frequently with soap and water for a minimum of 20 seconds
• Staying home if sick, self-isolating from others and getting tested;
• Keeping a physical distance of at least two metres from others in your group, unless they are household members
• Wearing a mask or face covering in an enclosed space, especially in settings where it is difficult to maintain a physical distance from others
• Meeting up outside and keeping gathering times short
• Taking extra precautions if people are elderly or have chronic health conditions.

“The daily choices we make and the actions we take now can help save lives. Continue to maintain physical distancing from people outside your household, wash your hands frequently, wear a mask indoors and where distancing is difficult and stay home if you feel sick. It is time for all of us to double-down on our efforts to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Let’s stay the course and continue to do our part to protect our families, loved ones and our community.”

- Mayor Fred Eisenberger

Additional Resources

• hamilton.ca/coronavirus
• hamilton.ca/reopens
• covid-19.ontario.ca
• Public Health Services’ COVID-19 Hotline: 905-974-9848 or [email protected]