COVID-19 variant identified in Hamilton

HAMILTON, ON - The UK variant of COVID-19 has been identified in a positive COVID-19 case in the city of Hamilton. Modelling and epidemiological studies suggest that the COVID-19 variant first identified in the United Kingdom can spread easier and faster.

Hamilton Public Services continues to monitor the local situation as it relates to COVID-19 and the presence of variants within the community.

It is vital that members of the public, even those who have been vaccinated, ensure that public health measures still be practiced until it is safe and said to be safe by the health professionals in all levels of government.  Public health measures include:  

• stay home if you are feeling unwell
• get tested for COVID-19 if you have symptoms or have been in close contact with a confirmed positive case of COVID-19
• limit gatherings to only members of your immediate household
• maintain a physical distance of 6 feet or 2 meters from others outside of your immediate household
• wear a mask or face covering indoors and outdoors when not able to maintain physical distancing
• wash hands frequently

Variants of COVID-19 positive cases can be found on the Public Health Ontario’s Daily Epidemiologic Summary at publichealthontario.ca.

Quick Facts

• There is no evidence to suggest that the current Health Canada-approved vaccines will be any less effective against the new variant.
• Hamilton Public Health Services has revised its management of all COVID-19 cases and identified close contacts in accordance with the provincial interim guidance issued.  This guidance includes:
  • an increased 'sensitivity' to identifying and designating close contacts of identified cases.  This means, that if there is any suspicion of exposure, the contact will be designated as close, and will require a 14-day quarantine following their contact with the case.
  • immediately testing all close contacts, regardless of whether they are symptomatic or not.        
  • testing all close contacts around day 10 of their 14-day quarantine period, regardless of whether they are symptomatic or not.        
  • all household members of a close contact of a positive case will be asked to quarantine for 14 days unless it is essential to leave the home.
  • if a close contact of a positive case develops symptoms, all of their close contacts will be directed to quarantine until the test result of the close contact returns negative.
  • These additional case and control management approaches are intended to reduce the possible transmission of COVID-19 and especially variants of concern.

Additional Resources

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

“Having learned of a confirmed positive case containing a COVID-19 variant is something that all members of the community should take seriously.  It’s vital that as places in the community begin to open up that we don’t start to let our guard down, this is not the time to let our good habits begin to slip. Please continue to follow public health measures, continue to stay home as much as possible, don’t gather, and continue to protect one another from this virus. Hamilton Public Health Services is prepared for this and has implemented a number of enhanced measures in accordance to the provincial guidance documents. As prepared as we are, it’s extremely important that all members of the community are prepared as well.”

 – Dr. Elizabeth Richardson, Medical Officer of Health