BA.2 variant, waning immunity to push ‘resurgence’ of Hamilton COVID-19 infections: public health

COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations through the spring of 2022 due to increased transmission of BA.2 variant and relaxed public health measures.During a board of health meeting on Monday, the latest Scarsin forecasting is suggesting COVID-19 will continue to circulate in the city well into June and that residents will be more susceptible to infection with immunity waning.Current epidemiological data suggests the city is now on course with a so-called “resurgence scenario” — the worst of two forecasts presented to city councillors in March — that could produce 400 new COVID hospitalizations between now and the end of June.

Ontario COVID update: 857 people in hospital, 168 in intensive care “New hospital admissions are likely to continue into the summer and may reach almost six per day,” Hamilton public heath epidemiologist Ruth Sanderson told councillors.The updated numbers suggest the impact of Omicron subvariant BA.2 represents around 45 per cent of all cases now sprouting up in Hamilton as of the end of March.It’s expected that overall COVID case numbers in the next few months will be half of the peak seen during the Omicron wave in mid-January with the latest wave expected to hit a high in early May of about 650 cases per week.Peak hospitalizations are also expected to be half of the 14 admitted per week in mid-January.Those aged between 60 and 79 are the demographic most likely to be impacted by potential hospitalization during the next wave.It’s estimated 16 COVID-related deaths are possible between now and the end of June.Hamilton’s medical officer of health Dr.