COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths will remain above pre-Omicron levels into March, despite the city passing the peak of the latest wave.New Scarsin forecasting, revealed during a board of health (BOH) meeting on Monday, projected a scenario where the city will have to deal with about 20,000 new COVID-19 cases and another 300 hospitalizations between Feb.
14 and Mar. 31.As per previous waves, severe outcomes will disproportionately occur more among those aged 60 years and over, according to the data.
Ontario to end COVID proof of vaccination March 1, mask mandate to remain in place Epidemiologist Ruth Sanderson told city councillors that although only 13 per cent of predicted cases will be in those 60 and older, 79 per cent of forecasted hospital admissions will be those aged over 60.“Those 60 to 79 years old will make up 61 per cent of predicted … new hospitalizations among Hamiltonians,” said Sanderson.Intensive care admissions are expected to be in about the 50 cases range for the same period, with 82 per cent of those affected aged 60 and older.About 15 per cent aged 20 through 59 have been earmarked for potential ICU stays.The modelling says another 25 COVID-related deaths are possible between mid-February and the end of March.“Most deaths, 93 per cent, will occur in those 60 and older,” Sanderson said.“And 61 per cent are specifically predicted to be in those aged 80 and older.”The forecast comes the same day the Ford government accelerated the next phase of Ontario’s three-phased approach to reopening the economy to Thursday, Feb.
17 — up from the previous date of Feb. 21.Measures will include increasing social gathering limits to 50 people indoors and 100 people outdoors as well as allowing 50 per cent.