COVID results for the Region of Halton - Burlington numbers are re-assuring

News 100 redBy Pepper Parr

April 9th, 2020

BURLINGTON, ON

 

Data – data and more data.

Getting a grip on what is actually happening in Burlington and how we compare to those next door to us – is now possible. The Region released a report earlier today setting out where things stood as of April 8th.

It’s a sobering report but Burlington is going Ok – much better than the province overall.

There were 140 COVID-19 cases reported to Halton Region Public Health since the last update (125 confirmed + 15 probable)

There were 264 COVID-19 cases reported to Halton Region Public Health to date (249 confirmed + 15 probable)

report date

Figure 1: COVID-19 cases, by reported date, Halton Region, Mar. 1-Apr. 8, 2020: shows the 264 COVID-19 cases that had been reported to Halton Region Public Health by end of the day on April 8. All cases have been graphed according to the date they were reported, which is often several days after the onset of symptoms. Among the cases in this figure, 140 were reported since the last update (meaning they were reported between April 2 and April 8, 2020).

Individuals who are lab-confirmed cases are shown in green. Individuals who are probable cases are shown in orange. Probable cases are epi-linked cases, which means they are presumed to have COVID-19 because they are symptomatic close contacts of cases or returning travelers who have COVID-19 symptoms.

Case demographics

bu municipality

COVID-19 cases, by municipality of residence, Halton Region, 2020. graphic shows that by end of the day on April 8, the greatest number of COVID-19 cases were among residents of Oakville (with 102 cases, or 39%). Please note that because Burlington and Oakville have larger populations, it is expected that they have more cases.

by exposure

Graphic shows that by end of the day on April 8, 106 of Halton Region’s COVID-19 cases (40%) had no known travel or contact history, and therefore were believed to have acquired the virus within Ontario, making them community cases. 68 of the cases (26%) had a history of travel that was believed to have been the source of their infection. 56 cases (21%) had contact with a confirmed case that was believed to be the source of infection. Information on exposure source was pending for 34 cases (13%).

Age specific

Chart shows that by end of the day on April 8, the most COVID-19 cases were among Halton residents aged 40-59 (with 113 cases, or 43%). 144 of the 264 cases (55%) were female. Please note age groups have shifted since the last report, to align with provincial reporting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

gender

COVID-19 cases, by age, Halton Region, 2020

38 Halton cases of COVID-19 have ever been hospitalized to date

69 Halton cases of COVID-19 have recovered to date

4 Halton cases of COVID-19 have died to date

5 institutional outbreaks of COVID-19 reported to Halton Region Public Health since the last update

6 institutional outbreaks of COVID-19 reported to Halton Region Public Health to date

Among the six institutional outbreaks reported to date, four (67%) have been in retirement homes, while the remainder have occurred in long-term care homes. Five of the outbreaks were reported since the last update (meaning they were reported between April 2 and April 8, 2020). None of the outbreaks have yet been declared over.

Comparison to Ontario

5,759 total confirmed COVID-19 cases reported in Ontario to date

Figure 5: Age-specific rates of COVID-19 (per 10,000 population), Halton Region and Ontario, 2020
Figure 5 shows age-specific rates of COVID-19 for Halton and Ontario. Rates take into account the population size of each age group to make it possible to compare between different areas. Halton’s age-specific rates are similar to the provincial rates, except for residents aged 80+.

Currently, Halton has a statistically significantly lower rate of COVID-19 cases for residents aged 80+ compared to Ontario, with 6.3 cases per 10,000 residents aged 80+ in Halton, compared to 10.9 cases per 10,000 residents aged 80+ in Ontario. and prisons.

Return to the Front page
Print Friendly, PDF & Email

11 comments to COVID results for the Region of Halton – Burlington numbers are re-assuring

  • Oguz Eroler

    Public need transparency.Halton health deparment stopped releasing detailed reports.
    Please release the data you have including how many people passed away , location home or hospital and their locations in details.

  • Joe Gaetan

    Not so fast,before we hang ALL our hats on testing here is a persPective. So, in the meantime STAY HOME.

    Is PCR Always Positive? What Is the Meaning of a Negative PCR?

    Several types of tests are being used to identify severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2.
    These can be classified into 2 general categories: molecular diagnosis/polymerase chain reaction (PCR)–based testing and serological testing.
    In clinical settings, PCR-based testing remains the primary method of identifying.
    Given the lack of a reference standard for diagnosing COVID-19, the sensitivity and specificity of diagnostic testing are unknown. In addition, inadequate sample collection may reduce test sensitivity….
    It is likely that lower respiratory samples (eg, minibronchial alveolar lavage) are more sensitive than a nasopharyngeal swab. Thus, it is important to emphasize that, depending on the clinical presentation, a negative RT-PCR result does not exclude COVID-19. Multiple serological tests are in various stages of development. With wider availability of serological testing, it will be possible to determine whether patients have a false-negative PCR result.
    Source: The COVID-19 Pandemic in the US: A Clinical Update, Saad B. Omer, MBBS, PhD1,2; Preeti Malani, MD, MSJ3,4; Carlos del Rio, MD5,6

  • Chris Gibbons

    the numbers of confirmed cases gives a false sense of security. There is MINIMAL testing. So we have no idea how many have it. So we think…hey the numbers in Burlington are very low. I am safe to go to the grocery store as often as I like. We need more TESTING.. But the government as usual are lazy overpaid do the minimums.

  • David

    100% of infections are due to travel, this virus was brought into Canada by travel from infected countries. The border should have been shut, Canadians returning home should have been isolated in a medical run facility, not at home (The latest thinking from South Korea) flights are still as of yesterday arriving/departing from/to countries around the globe.

    The stark truth is, the world needs a vaccine, we can only mitigate the casualties until that point in time.

    The lucky ones at the moment, are the ones that have caught, and survived Covid-19.

    I personally think I would survive this virus, but I’m not going to test the theory, i’ll wait it out until my survival odds are a bit more in my favour.

  • Tom Battaglia

    Asystenatic people could get it the day after testing so why test those who are ok. Test those who are showing signs of any flu. We must watch government even though they may not intend to be like 1984, it could follow.

  • BOB

    How many in ACTON

  • Joe

    Inaccurate stats. Multiply by 30 to calculate the # of cases 10 DAYS AGO!
    Sobering thought? Halton and Ontario not testing anywhere near enough. All governments unprepared wasting money over the past 2 decades.

  • Suzanne Mallrtt

    Even though the US got off to a poor start (in denial) and is doing poorly in controlling the spread partly due to their states right laws.,they now acknowledge that testing “strategic survielance ” is going to be the best way they get a true handle on controlling the spread of this virus .
    Testing is mandatory .
    Why not start Immesiately.
    It would be more financially practical for the government. than paying millions (small business owners , and uei payees )to stay home
    Canadians are smart and obedient.
    Let’s all get tested .
    We can do it !!

  • Perryb

    It seems that the citizens of Burlington are doing a good job following the rules, despite some idiot eruptions. Many thanks to stores and other essential services for an effective response to keep us safe, not to mention unheralded postal, garbage, police, telephone, utilities, gas station, etc. workers keeping the infrastructure functioning. And of course those in health care. Many thanks.

  • Robin Kelly Baxter-Bering

    These numbers are not accurate. Halton is not testing very many people. The testing criteria is ridiculous! How many of us know we have COVID-19 from travel and have self-isolated but don’t qualify for testing?

  • Penny Hersh

    Does anyone know how many people have been tested for Covid 19 in Burlington? Mass testing is the only way to get a proper indication of how many people actually are dealing with this disease.

    Ontario has been cited as doing the least amount of testing in Canada.