Please see below the most recent updates on the federal and provincial governments’ response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Provincial
- This morning, Ontario health officials briefed the public on their current modelling for the second wave of COVID-19. Some of the key takeaways from the announcement are:
- Ontario is currently experiencing an upward trajectory of positive cases.
- Cases are currently doubling every 10-12 days.
- While the cases were initially climbing in the 20-39 age group, cases are now climbing in all age groups.
- The current forecasting suggests that the province can reach 1000 cases per day in early October.
- Dr. Williams stressed that this modelling can cause a significant increase in hospitalized patients, ICU patients, and even deaths, and urged Ontarians to remain vigilant in avoiding large gatherings, physical distance and wear face coverings. Dr. Brown said that the model projects the same type of surge in mortality rate as it did back in the spring.
- Today, Ontario is reporting 625 new cases of COVID-19. 288 of those are in Toronto, 97 in Peel, 64 in Ottawa and 41 in York.
- Matt Anderson, CEO of Ontario Health did say that Ontario is doing its best to increase surgeries to catch up on the thousands that were delayed as a result of COVID-19.
- Many of the media asked questions about increased restrictions (regional) as a result of the increased numbers of the second wave. Dr. Williams did not announce any new restrictions, but did say that they are currently reviewing what worked and didn’t in other jurisdictions. There was a non-specific recognition that there will likely need to be further restrictions.
- The Premier and Minister of Health will be announcing additional aspect of their Fall Preparedness Plan today at 1pm.
James Barry
Executive Secretary Treasurer
IBEW Construction Council of Ontario