Public Health Services declares COVID-19 outbreak at Rebecca Towers apartment complex

HAMILTON, ON – City of Hamilton Public Health Services has declared a COVID-19 outbreak at Rebecca Towers (235 Rebecca Street), a 164 unit 17-storey apartment building in Hamilton. Currently there are 28 active COVID-19 cases, and a total 55 cases and one death having been identified since the middle of March. These cases are spread across 17 different units on 10 separate floors. We appreciate how concerning this is for the residents of this building and the impact COVID-19 is having on their tight-knit community.

Public Health Services is conducting case and contact management investigations for all residents who have tested positive for COVID-19 and is working with property management to determine factors that may have contributed to the spread of the virus within the apartment complex. The investigation has identified close contact between apartment residents, and socializing between individuals from different households/units as common factors that may have contributed to the transmission between households.

Public Health Services has notified all residents of Rebecca Towers about the outbreak and have provided advice and recommendations for testing. Hamilton Paramedic Services will be on site Thursday, May 6, 2021 to provide testing to all residents.

Public Health Services’ staff are working with Rebecca Towers property management to ensure infection prevention and control measures continue to be in place and recommend additional measures to stop spread of the virus. These measures include signage promoting public health measures, including capacity limits on the elevator and in shared laundry amenities, have been posted within the building and designated cleaners are coming in daily to support environmental cleaning.  

It is vital that members of the public, even those who have been vaccinated, remain vigilant when it comes to public health measures 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 at least 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

Additional Resources

• COVID-19 Status of Cases and Outbreaks
• COVID-19 Guide for Hamilton Residents
• https://covid-19.ontario.ca
• Public Health Services’ COVID-19 Hotline: 905-974-9848 or [email protected]