Premier says COVID is ramping up again
Doug Ford urges people to stop large social gatherings
With new COVID-19 cases over the 300 mark on Monday for the first time since early June, Premier Doug Ford told a media briefing when he asks health officials about the recent spike in cases, the most common answer he gets is that social gatherings are to blame.
“It’s not the bars per se, and restaurants, it’s social gatherings.”
The premier said a small percentage of people were getting lax in protocols and guidance. Ford said “it’s coming back to bite us.”
When pressed on what it would take for his government to rollback some of the reopenings and go back to Stage 2, the premier said it would happen on a regional basis, pointing out there are three hot spots right now – Toronto, Peel and Ottawa.
“Folks, I am begging you. Please cut out the social gatherings. It’s just not worth it.”
Health Minister Christine Elliott was asked at the media briefing if a spike in hospitalizations could result in another round of postponed surgeries and procedures.
Elliott said they don’t want to do that.
“We know many people are very concerned about having had cancer surgeries, cardiac surgeries and orthopedic surgeries put off. We don’t want them to have to go through that again. Our plan takes all of these contingencies in consideration.”
Elliott said they are prepared for the worst and they are ready for it, adding their fall plan will be rolled out very shortly. The minister said they would take a regional approach to any surgical cancellations.
There are currently 47 people in provincial hospitals being treated for COVID-19. Data was not submitted by 35 hospitals on Monday.
Seventeen of those patients are in the intensive care unit and eight are on ventilators.
