“This is an important reminder for all members of the community, including parents and their children, to use multiple layers of public health measures to protect themselves, their loved ones and help reduce the strain on the health care system of Hamilton,” said a message from the city’s medical officer of health, Dr. Elizabeth Richardson, distributed Wednesday by the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board (HWDSB). “This includes wearing a well-fitting mask indoors, especially when it’s crowded, getting the flu shot, and being informed about COVID-19 vaccinations.” A surge of children seriously ill from various viruses, including respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), has overwhelmed McMaster Children’s Hospital. The crisis is expected to worsen as viruses such as COVID and influenza circulate widely in the community. COVID is holding steady while influenza is still on the rise. “The transmission of COVID-19 in Hamilton is high and stable,” said the latest community transmission update on Wednesday. “Flu transmission in Hamilton moderate and increasing.” The risk that COVID still poses can be seen in the number of large active outbreaks in Hamilton nursing homes. The worst ongoing outbreak is at Alexander Place Long Term Care in Waterdown, where 90 have tested positive and three have died since October 23. Another major ongoing outbreak is at Heritage Green Nursing Home in Stoney Creek, where 81 have been infected and two have died since October 23. Amica Dundas Retirement Residence has had 79 illnesses and one death since September 26. Arbor Creek Long Term Care Center in Stoney Creek had 53 positive tests as of Oct. 20. In total, Hamilton had 24 active cases in high-risk settings as of Tuesday. In addition, the city reported the deaths of two more seniors aged 70 and older between Nov. 8 and Nov. 15 to bring Hamilton’s pandemic toll to 632. With the triple threat of COVID, influenza and RSV, Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Kieran Moore, strongly recommends wearing a mask indoors in social media and public spaces. His advice Monday was confirmed by a public health letter distributed by both the HWDSB and the Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board. “Children are more vulnerable to complications and hospitalizations from respiratory illnesses because their immune systems are still developing and their airways are small and more easily blocked,” the letter said. “Parents, carers and those who work closely with children are encouraged to take steps to help protect the children they interact with.” Despite calls for Hamiltonians to be up-to-date on their COVID vaccines and the crisis at McMaster, uptake of the boosters has been sluggish. Fewer than two per cent of 12- to 17-year-olds have had four shots, less than 4 per cent of five- to 11-year-olds have had three doses and only eight per cent of children aged four and under have had any vaccines against COVID. Uptake among adults isn’t much better with just 13 percent or fewer of 18- to 49-year-olds getting four shots. Even among those most at risk, about a third have not had a fourth shot for people age 70 and older. “Getting a flu shot and being informed about COVID-19 vaccines can help protect yourself and others from getting sick, and can help reduce symptoms and the duration of infection if you do get sick,” the letter from public health said. SHARE:
