Unvaccinated COVID patients in Hamilton intensive care units leave families, doctors ‘disappointed’

“Everyone [hospitalized with COVID-19] in the first three waves was not vaccinated but had no choice to get vaccinated as their time had not yet come in terms of eligibility. This wave is completely different. “

Ainsworth said he was also disappointed. He said every COVID-19 intensive care patient over the past month and a half has not been vaccinated and there have been no fully vaccinated patients there since the start of the fourth wave.

It comes as people opposed to vaccination mandates and pandemic-related public health measures have held numerous protests outside hospitals across Canada Monday.

Hamilton Mayor Fred Eisenberger joined mayors across the Greater Toronto Area Hamilton in issuing a statement strongly condemning protests outside of hospitals.

“We all want this pandemic to end. While everyone has the right to protest, this does not allow harassing hospital workers and obstructing access to care,” he said in a statement. Press. “This heinous behavior will not be tolerated.”

Ainsworth said people who avoid vaccination are putting unnecessary pressure on local hospitals, forcing them to cancel surgeries and elective procedures due to a lack of space and staff.

“We are happy to try to help them, it just puts us in a dilemma because there are a lot of other sick patients with non-COVID diseases who get [treatment] delayed, “he said.

Ainsworth said his hospital’s intensive care unit had nine to 10 patients on life support, all of whom were unvaccinated.

He said that while some people have extenuating circumstances that make it more difficult to get vaccinated, the vast majority of people ending up in hospital avoid getting the shot, according to patients’ families.

Niagara Health, the hospital network for the Niagara region, released a statement on Monday saying it was preparing for a new wave of patients. He said that since August 7, the hospital network has treated 32 patients with COVID-19, 26 of whom were not vaccinated.

“We are dealing with a virus that is managed well with a vaccine. I strongly urge those who are not vaccinated to do so as soon as possible,” said Dr Johan Viljoen, Chief of Staff and Executive Vice President of Business Niagara Health Medical Services. .

“Vaccination is the key to getting out of this pandemic, and there are many options available throughout the Niagara community. “

Hamilton’s seven-day average reaches 47 cases

Hamilton reported 95 new cases of COVID-19 and one more on Monday, after the weekend.

The city saw 23,842 cases so far during the pandemic and 409 deaths. Eight outbreaks are in progress.

There are 362 active cases of the virus, while 94% are resolved.

The seven-day average for new cases is 47.

About 6.8% of Hamiltonians who contracted the virus have been hospitalized, according to data from the city’s website.

Hamilton Health Sciences (HHS) is responsible for 37 people with COVID-19, including 15 people in intensive care.

Six HHS staff are currently confirmed to have the virus, while 51 are self-isolating.

There are 13 patients at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton who have tested positive for COVID-19, seven of whom are in intensive care. The hospital says four staff members have the virus.

In the province, Ontario reported 600 new cases on Monday, of which 475 were of people who were not fully vaccinated or whose vaccination status was not known.

Six more deaths were added to Ontario’s tally, bringing the official toll to 9,617.

The province reports that more than 84 percent of people eligible for their injections received one dose and more than 78 percent received both.

Six Nations reports first COVID-related death since April

The Six Nations of the Grand River upgraded their alert system to orange on Monday amid a sharp rise in cases and a 12th death.

This is the first COVID-related death reported in the territory since April 29.

“The elected Six Nations Council has in its mind all those who have lost a loved one to this virus,” a press release read.

There were 41 active cases in the Six Nations on Saturday, 177 people were in self-isolation and one person was hospitalized.

The number of cases per 100,000 rises to more than 281 for the Six Nations, compared to 28 and 49 per 100,000 for Brant County and Hamilton, respectively, according to the tracking tool on its website.

The First Nation has counted 609 positive cases. Of these, 555 are resolved. Twelve people infected with the virus have died.