Ontario is amid an upswing in COVID-19 cases that signals the second wave is coming, warned Premier Doug Ford in a press conference today with senior members of his cabinet.
The Ontario Ministry of Health confirmed 313 new COVID-19 cases Monday, making it the fourth straight day the province surpassed the 200 mark since June.
“78 percent of todays cases are from three regions, with 112 in Toronto, 71 in Peel, and 60 in Ottawa,” Ontario health minister Christine Elliott tweeted this morning.
In response to the rise, Ontario Premier Doug Ford told reporters today at Queens Park that the spike is a “cause for concern for all of us,” and warned that the “second wave of this virus is coming.”
Ford said how severe the second wave will be was up to the 14.5 million people in the province.
“Weve shown what we can achieve when we work together,” said Ford, noting efforts that flattened the curve in the first wave.
And Ford said he wanted to be clear that the province would do whatever was needed.
“Every option is on the table. We will take every step necessary including further shutdown,” said Ford.
Elliott, who was also present at the press conference, urged Ontarians to continue to follow the public health guidance to stop the spread.
“Please continue with the physical distancing or wear a mask where that is not safe to do so, or practical to do so,” Elliott said. “Follow the proper hand hygiene. If you are not feeling well, please dont go out, dont go to work. Make sure that if you have symptoms, please go and get tested.”
Elliott also added that the second wave will be more “complicated and more difficult to deal with than the first wave” as the flu season is approaching too.
On top of that, the province faces a reduced capacity in the hospitals because of the number of seniors from long term care homes moving into the hospitals due to the pandemic.
Besides that, the hospitals still have to deal with the thousands of postponed surgeries caused by the first wave, Elliot said.
But she said the government has also already taken those factors into consideration, and formed a comprehensive plan that will soon be announced.
On Sunday, President and CEO of Ontario Hospital Association Anthony Dale released a statement urging Ontarians not to be misled by the lower cases counts prior to the current surge, and the economy reopening.
“Make no mistake, COVID-19 is still a very real threat. Without continued vigilance, todays isolated outbreaks in Toronto, Peel, York and Ottawa could easily spread throughout communities right across Ontario, Dale said.
“If current trends continue to accelerate, economic restrictions may tighten once more, and the school year for our children will be in jeopardy.”
