Hamilton has topped 100 confirmed cases of COVID-19, but the actual number of ill people is likely more than 1,000 as only high-priority groups are tested due to supply shortages.

“There are more cases out there than the ones that are actually getting tested,” Hamilton’s medical officer of health, Dr. Elizabeth Richardson, said Tuesday. “The estimates to how many more there might be is anywhere from 10 times to slightly more than that.”

Federal and provincial leaders called the next few weeks critical in the race against COVID-19.

“Worst-case scenarios are fairly dire,” said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

But there’s still time to stop the health-care system from becoming overwhelmed.

“We can actually make a difference,” said Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland. “Each one of us has real power here to avert the worst-case scenario.”

Premier Doug Ford kept schools closed to students until at least May 4 saying, “What we do today, will determine what we face tomorrow” in terms of the spread of COVID-19.

“In order to protect our children, I’m prepared to extend these closures,” he said.

At-home school is set to begin with graded report cards still required for all ages.

“While school might be out until the fourth (of May), classes are back in session,” said Education Minister Stephen Lecce.

Teachers are being trained on virtual learning and expected to reconnect with students who are being given laptops or even printed materials delivered to their door.

At the same time, the province is funding digital learning for universities and colleges, including reliable virtual exams that safeguard against cheating.

The goal is to save the school year for students from elementary through to post-secondary.

“I know nothing about this situation is ideal,” said Lecce. But, “Students can and will continue to complete credits underway.”

To those in their final year, he said: “We will do whatever it takes to ensure you graduate. Full stop.”

Daycares and private schools are shut down until April 13 because the state of emergency only allows closures to be extended for two weeks at a time.

Late Monday, the province closed outdoor recreational spaces such as sports fields, skate parks, playgrounds, dog parks, beaches and tennis courts. It includes private communal outdoor spaces such as those at condominiums.

“The message is pretty clear: Stay at home unless you absolutely have to go out,” said Paul Johnson, director of Hamilton’s Emergency Operations Centre.

The city is blocking off parking lots to trails and other popular outdoor destinations while aggressively ticketing on nearby streets to discourage people from driving to their favourite spots.

“Walk around the block,” said Johnson.

The city is extending its closure of facilities, parks, playgrounds, sports fields and programming until at least May 25. It will hold a virtual town hall on Wednesday at 7 p.m. on Cable 14 or youtube.com/insidecityofhamilton. Submit questions at hamilton.ca/askcovidquestions.

Burlington’s closures will now go until the end of June. It’s also expediting building permits for Joseph Brant Hospital to construct a temporary pandemic response unit with 93 beds.

Hamilton hospitals are expanding virtual care such as video appointments to keep people at home, particularly groups vulnerable to COVID-19 like cancer patients. St. Joseph’s reported a 450 per cent increase in virtual care in March.

So far, there have been 12 people hospitalized for COVID-19 in Hamilton including eight currently at St. Joseph’s Healthcare and Hamilton Health Sciences. Two of those patients are in intensive care.

Anticipating an increased need to transport COVID-19 patients to highly specialized hospitals, Ornge has temporarily expanded its land ambulance program to Hamilton.

Starting April 6, an Ornge ambulance with two paramedics will be housed at a Hamilton Paramedic Service base for 12 hours each day to be available for immediate dispatch to Hamilton, Burlington and Niagara.

Hamilton had 10 new confirmed cases Tuesday, including a police officer, bringing the city’s total to 101, while Halton increased by 23 cases to 59.

However, these numbers don’t include many of the ill 17 patients and 10 staff related to an outbreak at Heritage Green Nursing Home. The province has ordered all of those sick at the Stoney Creek long-term care centre to be tested.

Ford said the province is doing everything it can to stop the spread of the virus in long-term care homes after a number of outbreaks, including one in Pinecrest Nursing Home in Bobcaygeon that has killed 12 residents.

“I wish we had a crystal ball a month and a half ago to see where this was going,” he said.

An 80-year-old woman who lived at Heritage Green died March 24 and remains Hamilton’s lone death from COVID-19. Across Ontario, there have been 33 deaths including one in Halton.

Provincewide, there were 1,966 confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday compared to 1,706 the day before. But these numbers are old, with Hamilton’s public health department saying some date as far back as March 9.

Potential shortages of equipment for front-line workers continue to be a worry. Trudeau announced the federal government has signed contracts with three Canadian companies and has letters of intent with five more to produce items like ventilators, surgical masks and test kits.

“We know the demand for critical equipment and supplies will grow in the coming weeks, so we need a sustainable, stable supply of these products — and that means making them at home,” he said.