Two thirds of Hamilton’s confirmed COVID-19 cases have recovered

In a bit of encouraging news that proves how well social distancing measures and emergency orders are working in slowing the spread of COVID-19, the City of Hamilton’s record of confirmed local cases shows that nearly two thirds of those positive cases have now recovered.

As of the most recent update, Hamilton has seen a total of 474 documented cases of COVID-19, with 469 confirmed positive and 5 probable cases. Of that number, 314 cases are now considered resolved, representing more than 66 per cent of the overall total.

The common signs of COVID-19 include fever, cough and difficulty breathing. The list of other symptoms and individuals requiring testing has expanded. Check to see if you should get tested: https://t.co/Mrd5j4Q60n #HamOnt pic.twitter.com/dp97MC0KHl

— City of Hamilton (@cityofhamilton) May 8, 2020

While this speaks volumes to how the city, its residents, and local public health are managing the spread of COVID-19, the numbers do not mean the pandemic is anywhere near over and that things can return to normal in any immediate way.

Many reports from health officials indicate how dangerous it could be for social distancing measures to relax too quickly, pointing to potential subsequent waves of the outbreak worldwide that might be even more dramatic than this first wave; especially considering research findings which indicate that as many as 50 per cent of positive COVID-19 cases may be carrying the virus asymptomatically and spreading it without realizing it.

The Province of Ontario’s plans to reopen the economy are very gradual and calculated, with re-openings occurring in carefully plotted phases that will eventual lead to a full re-opening of the economy.

This final stage, however, still looks to be many months away; and small pockets of the economy, such as live entertainment industries which depend on large gatherings of people, are likely going to remain shuttered the longest.

Hamiltonians should continue to stay the course by practicing strict social distancing, staying home whenever possible save for essential reasons, and limiting contact with people outside of your household. Locals should also continue maintaining personal hygiene practices including frequent, thorough handwashing with soap or hand sanitizer.

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• coronavirus
• COVID-19
• emergency orders
• Hamilton
• HamOnt
• Health
• Ontario
• outbreak
• pandemic
• positive cases
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• social distancing