Hamilton ends COVID-19 emergency declaration; here is what that means
Published May 10, 2022 at 5:02 pm
The COVID-19 emergency declaration in Hamilton has ended — after 753 days.
Mayor Fred Eisenberger made the announcement today (May 10), saying that the city’s Emergency Operations Centre (EOC), sent notice to the Ontario government terminating a municipal emergency declaration. It was first declared on April 17, 2020, about one month after similar declarations were made by the two seniormost levels of government.
Over the last two-plus years, Hamilton has seen 550 people die as as a result of the pandemic, according to the city’s COVID-19 dashboard. There have been over 57,000 cases, and the scientific consensus is far from formed on the ongoing health challenges some people may face due to have contracted the virus.
The city dashboard also shows that most key indicators are flat or trending downward, which is a positive.
“While COVID-19 remains a serious concern requiring ongoing efforts and vigilance, the City of Hamilton’s efforts in fighting COVID-19 have put Hamilton in a position where our emergency declaration can be terminated,” Mayor Eisenberger stated. “It is important we remember that COVID-19 will be a part of our lives moving forward, and our work to help people get vaccinated and to support our economic recovery must continue. I want to thank our City staff for their dedication and resiliency throughout this emergency period for continuing to deliver municipal services that residents count on. I also want to thank Hamilton residents across our community for their hard work and ongoing support. As I have stressed throughout this pandemic, we are all in this together.”
Mandatory masking ends in 15 days
The upshot of the declaration ennding is that mandatory masking requirements for all city staff will be lifted on May 25, 2022. Following the masking requirement being lifted, city staff will have the option wear masks in the workplace.
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Public engagement initiatives, such as public open houses and public meetings, can resume in-person or in a hybrid manner as of the 25th.
In line with provincial orders, masking requirements remain in effect in select higher-risk indoor settings until at least June 11. These settings include health care settings, long-term care and retirement homes, shelters and other congregate living settings and on public transit.
The emergency operation centre will remain active and mobilized, but will transition to a focus on monitoring the COVID-19 situation.
The final update will be provided to members of the general issues committee (GIC) on May 18. Moving forward, updates will be provided to GIC and the Board of Health as required.
The EOC can reinstate regular operations if/as needed based on the health situation locally, a city media released noted.
Hamilton is seeing a decrease in the seven-day rolling average of new COVID-19 cases. The dashboard shows an seven-day average of 110. That is a more than 25-per-cent decease from May 1, and a 55-per-cent decrease from three weeks ago on April 17.
Positivity rates and COVID-19 wastewater activity also has the upside-down green arrow. Hospital admissions have increased, which has led to Hamilton hospital networks scaling back some procedures. However, hospital admissions are considered more of a confirmation of COVID-19 activity than a predictor of it.
In the meantime, city council meetings will shift to a hybrid model in two weeks, on May 25. Committee meetings will also go hybrid on May 30.
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