COVID-19 virus continues to wane in Hamilton

The impact of COVID-19 on Hamiltonians continues to wane with transmission considered “low & decreasing” by Hamilton Public Health, with new cases dropping to 16 a day this week – from 21 and 25 the past two reporting periods.

Hospital admissions remained stable at nearly zero and zero is the number of patients with the virus in intensive care units, a number that has remained steady through 2024.

The per cent positivity rate is also dropping (14.4 per cent, from 16.2 per cent and 19.1 per cent) and the weekly incident rate (per 100,000 population) is at 19, vs 25 and 29 the past two periods.

Outbreaks at local retirement centres, hospitals and long-term care homes has been up and down, with 11 reported this week. There were just five the previous week but 19 the week before that.

Influenza transmission in Hamilton is considered “moderate & decreasing,” with the per cent positivity rate at 11.5 per cent (it was 12.2 per cent two weeks ago) and wastewater signals decreasing.

The numbers for RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) numbers are also falling, with the per cent positivity dropping to 1.6 per cent (from 2.3 per cent and 2.9 per cent) and outbreaks at four, versus six the previous period.