7 new cases in Hamilton Friday, all due to community spread of COVID-19

There have been 51confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in the City of Hamilton as of Friday afternoon.

Seven new cases have presented themselves since Thursday, all of which appear to be due to community spread, said associate medical officer of health Dr. Bart Harvey.One of the cases not in that total, but which publichealth is involved in, isan employee atthe Hamilton-Wentworth Detention Centre.

According to Harvey,the centre has increased its usual cleaning andtold staff and inmates in contact with the employee that they must self-isolate.

At the city's virtual press conference Friday, Paul Johnson director ofthe emergency operations centre, said protective supplies and materials like wipes and sanitizer are being continually monitored, though at this time city agencies such as firefighters and paramedics"have the supplies that weneed at this stage."

He added that they have"not had to undertakeany rationing of (personal protective equipment)in the City of Hamilton," butare in the process of getting more.

Officials with theHaldimand-Norfolk Health Unit say the region has its first confirmed case of COVID-19.

The person is a Norfolk resident who has mild symptoms and remains in self-isolation at home, according to a media release from Norfolk County.

"In the context of the number of cases reported in the province, this first case is not unexpected," stated Medical Officer of Health Shanker Nesathurai in the release.

"The Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit will continue to work with the counties ...as well as hospitals, community health centres and community physicians to formulate a response to COVID-19."

Staff with the health unit have identified anyone who wasin close contact with the first case and directed them totake steps to distance themselves from others.

Hamilton cases clustered in families

Of the seven new cases, none have a directlink to travel or contact with someone who is infected, said Harvey.

Hamilton Public Health says 12 of the total cases indicate community transmission and thatabout half of Hamilton's total cases are clustered in families.

There has been one COVID-19 related death in Hamilton so far.