COVID-19 outbreaks declared at Hamilton bars, hotel after events were held

Hamilton | COVID |

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Published December 13, 2021 at 4:30 pm

At least 28 people who attended an event earlier this month at a downtown Hamilton bar have tested positive for COVID-19. — Stock photo

A COVID-19 outbreak has been declared after several attendees of an event held at a downtown Hamilton bar earlier this month have tested positive for the virus.

According to Hamilton Public Health Services (HPHS) data posted to the City of Hamilton website, five people who attended an event at The Judge on Augusta Street on Dec. 3 have contracted the virus. The outbreak was declared on Dec. 10.

Two other events are also among the 20 active outbreaks listed by HPHS as of Monday (Dec. 13).

An outbreak was declared on Dec. 11 following an event at Homewood Suites on Bay Street on Dec. 4 which saw four people test positive for the virus. Additionally, three patrons who attended an event at Hamilton’s West End Pub on Dec. 6 have tested positive and an outbreak was declared on Dec. 12 as a result.

On Monday, Hamilton reported 172 newly confirmed cases of COVID-19 as the number of active cases in the community has climbed to 348.

One new virus-related death is being reported as well, bringing the local death toll to 424.

As it stands, Hamilton’s seven-day average for new cases is now up to 48.

Hamilton hospitals are treating 26 people for COVID-19-related illnesses, of which fewer than five are in local ICUs.

Recent days have seen a sharp increase in the number of new cases of the virus, just as the province expands booster dose eligibility to those 50 years of age and older in an effort to slow the rapidly spreading Omicron variant.

The province has said it plans to offer the third shots to all adults in the new year but that timeline could move up if capacity allows, Ontario’s top doctor said last week.

Meanwhile, Ontario is reporting 1,536 new COVID-19 cases across the province on Monday.

According to Health Minister Christine Elliott, said 253 people are hospitalized in Ontario with virus-related illnesses, and 161 people are in ICUs due to COVID-19.

CORRECTIVE: A previous version of this story indicated that 28 people at an event at The Judge tested positive for COVID-19. Hamilton Public Health Services has corrected their data and the actual number of positive cases is five.

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