Skip to content

Back to Invest in Hamilton

CORONAVIRUS (COVID 19) – how hamilton is prepared

Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Hamilton Public Health Services (PHS) is taking steps to protect the health and safety of our community by working with our health system partners and Ministry of Health colleagues to ensure we’re prepared to respond to this situation as it evolves.

Have a question about the City’s response to COVID-19?

SUbmit your questions now
2 COVID-19 ASSESSMENT CENTRES NOW OPEN IN HAMILTON
public health hotline: (905) 546-2424 ext. 7970
Hamilton has two COVID-19 Assessment Centres that are now open. These clinics will assess whether people need more medical care and/or testing for COVID-19 based on symptoms (cough or fever), travel history and/or exposure to known cases. All information on this page is being feed from the official City of Hamilton website. Please be sure to check with the city’s official channels for on going updates.

AT THIS POINT, YOU ARE UNLIKELY TO BECOME INFECTED WITH COVID-19 WITHIN HAMILTON:

However, residents need to be mindful that the situation is rapidly evolving; for example, we have an increasing number of travel-related cases from the USA emerging.

HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT THE CITY’S RESPONSE TO COVID-19?

Submit your question. We’ll do our best to answer it on one of our FAQ pages:

For City Employees
For Transit Customers

Alternately, if you would like to speak to a customer service representative:

Facility closures and program impacts: 905-546-2489

If you have concerns about your health or the health of a family member:

Public Health Hotline: (905) 546-2424 ext. 7970
Public Health email address: phscovid19@hamilton.ca

STATUS OF CASES IN HAMILTON:

This web page will be updated with the most up-to-date information on the status of cases in Hamilton.

The symptoms of COVID-19, which can include fever and cough, are similar to other respiratory infections including influenza. As a result, individuals who may simply have the flu are being tested out of an abundance of caution and in line with Ontario’s robust detection protocols. This means that most individuals who are tested are unlikely to be infected with COVID-19.

Negative110
Currently under investigation184
Confirmed positive 5
Total number of patients approved for COVID-19 testing to date 199

Numbers reflect residents of the city of Hamilton. Numbers accurate as of 9:00 am, March 15, 2020. Subject to change.
1 Test results pending

HOW HAMILTON IS PREPARED:

As part of our emergency preparedness planning, we’re working together with Hamilton Paramedic Services, hospitals, primary care providers, Ontario Ministry of Health colleagues, and academic institutions. This includes implementing a plan to monitor, detect, and if needed, contain and prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus. We’ve fully activated our Incident Management System which is used to focus attention and resources on urgent issues. This involves the activation of key roles needed to support the current situation as it relates to COVID-19 preparedness.

GUIDANCE FOR RISK AND COVID-19:

We’ve fully activated our Incident Management System which is used to focus attention and resources on urgent issues. This involves the activation of key roles needed to support the current situation as it relates to COVID-19 preparedness.

It is important for Hamilton residents to take preventative measures for all types of respiratory illnesses, including influenza, such as:

  • washing your hands often with soap and water
  • avoiding close contact with people who are sick
  • covering your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze; if you don’t have a tissue, sneeze or cough into your sleeve or arm
  • avoiding touching your face, eyes and mouth
  • cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched objects and surfaces

People who are at higher risk need to carefully monitor the situation. These include:

  • older people
  • people with chronic disease (for example, diabetes, cancer, heart, renal or chronic lung disease)
  • people with weakened immune systems

For those who are considering travelling, it is important to monitor the situation. The Ontario Ministry of Health has advised that all non-essential travel outside of Canada should be avoided. All travelers should be aware that there are health risks when you travel. It is important to check your destination before you leave to know the risks and to be prepared. If you decide to travel, be aware of the situation where you are travelling and follow travel advisories. Know that there could be quarantines or lockdowns, flight cancellations, or isolation as a result of COVID-19. While you are away, and when you return, it is important to monitor your health.

WHAT’S OPEN AND WHAT’S CLOSED DURING COVID-19:

All City-run programming and events have been cancelled

closures and cancellations

UPDATE FROM SCHOOLS:

The Minister of Education has issued a Ministerial Order to close all publicly funded schools in Ontario for two weeks following March break, in response to the emergence in Ontario of COVID-19. This order was approved by the Lieutenant Governor in Council.

This means that Ontario schools have been ordered to remain closed from March 14 to an indefinite date.

UPDATE FROM COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS:

CORONAVIRUS DISEASE (COVID-19): RESOURCES FOR CANADIAN BUSINESSES

Business Support: Government of Canada
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): Resources for Canadian businesses

Business Development Bank of Canada
Support for Entrepreneurs impacted by Coronavirus

Business Development Bank of Canada
Business Continuity Plan and Templates for Entrepreneurs

Business Development Bank of Canada
Export Development Canada

Employment Insurance and Labour and Occupational Health and Safety
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) – Employment and Social Development Canada

Ontario Ministry of Health
Stats and Self Assessment Tool

Canadian Chamber of Commerce
Pandemic Preparedness for Business

World Health Organization COVID-19
Business and Employees

HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF:

To help prevent the spread of all types of respiratory illnesses, including influenza, PHS recommends:

  • wash your hands often with soap and water;
  • avoid close contact with people who are sick;
  • cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze; if you don’t have a tissue, sneeze or cough into your sleeve or arm;
  • avoid touching your face, eyes and mouth to prevent illness;
  • clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces; and,
  • get the flu shot, if you haven’t already done so.

MINISTRY OF HEALTH INFORMATION SHEET:

The Ministry of Health has developed an information sheet about the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) to inform Ontarians about the virus, how they can protect themselves and what to do if they think they have contracted the 2019 novel coronavirus. The information sheet is available in multiple languages (see below).

DOWNLOAD THE MINISTRY INFORMATION SHEET (ENGLISH)

All other languages (PDF Download)

CONTACT US:

Contact Hamilton Public Health Services for information related to COVID-19:

Phone:
COVID-19 hotline at 905-546-2424 ext. 7970

Email:
Send questions to phscovid19@hamilton.ca

WHAT’S OPEN AND WHAT’S CLOSED DURING COVID-19:

RELATED LINKS:

Public Health Ontario
www.publichealthontario.ca

World Health Organization
www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019

Message from CEO/Chief Librarian of HPL
www.hpl.ca/articles/novel-coronavirus-covid-19