The number of coronavirus cases in Hamilton hospitals is stable, said Dr. Elizabeth Richardson, the city’s medical officer of health. Wastewater data show The virus is on the rise again in the city.
Richardson said as the community moves into flu season, proper hand washing, masks, vaccinations and staying home when sick are important.
“The COVID-19 vaccine remains extremely important in reducing infections,” he said at a press conference Thursday.
The latest version of the coronavirus vaccine, which targets the XBB variant of the virus, is available for high-risk patients. That group includes people over 65, people in congregate living settings such as long-term care, people who are pregnant, and people with underlying health conditions that make them more at risk of infection.
Mr Richardson said cases of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which seriously affects children, are increasing rapidly across the state and in wastewater samples.
Dr. Brian McKenna from the Hamilton Family Health Team said cold and flu cases are on the rise.
“If the situation we saw between November and February last year continues, we will face significant burdens that far exceed the current situation,” he said.
He said people should contact their doctor if they think they are at risk, but noted that about 60,000 people in Hamilton do not have a family doctor.
Some procedures have been canceled due to capacity issues
At a press conference Thursday, leaders of Hamilton’s four main hospitals said capacity was already an issue, even without a large number of respiratory patients.
Hamilton General Hospital is at 107% capacity, McMaster Children’s Hospital is at 112% capacity, Juravinski Cancer Center is at 118% capacity and West Lincoln Memorial Hospital is at 114% capacity.
Over the past two weeks, hospitals in the HHS network, including Hamilton General Hospital and Juravinski Cancer Center, have been “forced to cancel elective and planned treatments,” said Sharon Pearson of Hamilton Health Sciences. ” he said.
This includes cardiology and oncology procedures and appointments.
She said Juravinsky Hospital was built to care for 80 patients and currently has 100 patients admitted.
“We’re always working to make sure that time-critical care is being delivered,” she says.
McMaster Children’s Hospital built 12 additional beds in three departments last year, which puts the hospital in a good position to “absorb a very active flu season,” said hospital director Bruce Squires. the doctor said.
However, over a dozen beds will be needed to solve the capacity problem.
“In many ways, this system is undervalued for the population we serve,” Squires said.
Hamilton at St. Joseph Healthcare treats complex cases
St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton (SJHH) is also operating at full capacity, said Dr. Cheryl Williams, vice president of clinical operations.
He said the hospital has patients with complex mental illnesses, often related to substance abuse and mental illness.
If a patient is admitted for a condition that can be treated in another setting, the patient is referred to as an alternative level of care patient.
Williams said SJHH has about 270 patients who need alternative levels of care, 120 of whom are waiting for care in hotel rooms.
“There are quite a few [of patients] “Some are waiting to be placed in long-term care facilities, some are waiting to be placed in supportive housing in the community,” she said, adding that some are waiting for rehabilitation or palliative care.
