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COVID-19 is now out in the community as one of Hamilton's five new cases can't be traced back to international travel.

"The concern we absolutely have is how fast will this increase," said Dr. Elizabeth Richardson, Hamilton's medical officer of health, at a media conference Tuesday. "We definitely think the measures we are asking people to take can make a difference."

Bylaw officers and health inspectors took to Hamilton's streets to make sure restaurants, bars and nightclubs were complying with a provincial mandate to shut down on St. Patrick's Day until at least March 31.

The order came on the same day Ontario had its first death from coronavirus — a 77-year-old man in Barrie — and also included shuttering indoor recreation facilities, places of worship, daycare centres, private schools, cinemas, concerts and parades.

Richardson said only a "tiny" number of facilities were putting up a resistance and many had already closed down before the province declared a state of emergency early Tuesday morning, banning gatherings of 50 or more.

"We really have an opportunity here to slow down the spread of this virus," she said. "And just how critical that is in terms of reducing the overall number of people who are ill, but also in ensuring we have health-care resources available for those who might become more seriously affected."

The closures leave out a number of sectors where people gather such as malls, food stores, factories and construction sites.

Restaurants are allowed — and encouraged — to do takeout and drive-thru.

"The reality is we have never had this large a scale shut down of services and redistribution of services," said Paul Johnson, director of the city's emergency operations centre. "We need to find ways to deliver important services to the community and do it in different ways. You will need to bear with us."

The city shut down the remainder of its facilities Tuesday morning, including city hall, municipal service centres, public counters and community recycling centres, until at least April 6.

Starbucks in the Meadowlands has removed furniture. Starbucks have gone to take-out only and store staff are adding condiments behind the counter. | John Rennison/The Hamilton Spectator

"We all recognize fully this is a particularly challenging time for everyone and these changes have widespread impacts on all of you," said Mayor Fred Eisenberger. "However, I can assure you they are absolutely necessary to help reduce the risk of COVID-19 spreading in our community."

Essential services such as fire, paramedics, police, the water system, garbage collection, transit and shelters continue to operate.

Grocery stores and pharmacies remain open.

"Major retailers have assured us there is no shortage of food, groceries or toiletries in the country," said Eisenberger. "Even though some of the shelves might be empty in some locations, restocking is happening; the supply chain is functioning. There is no reason to take more than you need, so leave some for others."

By Wednesday morning, all area hospitals will require staff and visitors to be screened before entering their buildings.

"Both staff/physicians and patients/visitors have been incredibly respectful of the screening process at hospital entrances," a statement from St. Joseph's Healthcare said about screening that started at its facilities Tuesday. "People are 'thanking' the screeners, saying it's a great source of reassurance."

The worried well are showing up at the city's two COVID-19 assessment centres, with a substantial number of the 135 visitors on Tuesday not fitting the criteria for testing.

"You can't go there and just get a test because you want to see if you are negative," said Richardson. "That is of no value for anybody. The supplies for testing are very limited and we need to preserve those supplies for people who are sick."

The centres at the West End Clinic and King Campus urgent care centres are not drop-in and require a referral from public health or a family doctor.

First go to Ontario.ca/coronavirus to complete a self-assessment. Then, contact your family doctor or public health at 905-974-9848, 905-546-2424, ext. 7970, phscovid19@hamilton.ca or hamilton.ca/coronavirus.

"The concern we absolutely have is how fast will this increase," said Dr. Elizabeth Richardson, Hamilton's medical officer of health, at a media conference Tuesday. | Barry Gray/The Hamilton Spectator

"It's very natural to feel stressed about this," said Richardson. "It's very natural to feel anxious. All of us are probably feeling very similar things."

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McMaster University informed thousands of students late Monday that they need to leave its 13 on-campus residence buildings by March 21 at 4 p.m.

The city is expected to launch a website this week to provide supports and information to businesses hit hard by the COVID crisis.

"The city of Hamilton is working with three local chambers of commerce partners to deal with an approach to business continuity and economic recovery," said Eisenberger. "This will help position us for a full recovery following the end of the COVID outbreak."

The city also announced it has three sites that will provide emergency shelter for those who are homeless and experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or have to self-isolate for any reason. In addition, it identified drop-in centres with access to hygiene services.

To keep drivers safe, HSR buses have blocked off the seats behind drivers, while people with mobility devices will only be loaded and unloaded at the front door.

The new local cases Tuesday bring the area total to 19 — 15 in Hamilton, three in Halton and one that overlaps both.

Six of Hamilton's cases are people over 60, which is a higher-risk group. Hamilton also has a three-month-old baby with COVID-19.

"For the majority of us this would be a mild illness similar to the cold or a flu, but for some it is more severe — particularly those over the age of 60 or 70 and those who have multiple chronic illnesses," said Richardson.

At least two of the baby's family members also have COVID-19. Five of the Hamilton cases are connected to cruises.

All of Hamilton's cases are self-isolating at home; none are in hospital.

Halton's cases include a Burlington man who took an Air Canada flight on the day he became symptomatic, as well as an Oakville woman who travelled to Colorado and took two WestJet flights to and from Costa Rica while symptomatic.

Last Wednesday, March 11, marked the first case of confirmed COVID-19 in Hamilton and Halton. It was a 32-year-old radiation oncologist who lives in Burlington and works at Juravinski Cancer Centre. She treated 11 patients and worked with nine staff before discovering she got coronavirus during a trip to Hawaii.

The fact COVID-19 is in the community doesn't mean residents have to stay inside.

"You absolutely can go outside and take a walk, go for a hike, if you need groceries you can go to the store," said Richardson.

Provincewide there were at least 189 confirmed cases as of 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, up from 177 Monday.

jfrketich@thespec.com

905-526-3349 | @Jfrketich

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