Another record-breaking day for COVID-19 cases in Ontario.
The province is reporting 1,042 new cases, and seven more deaths, while 736 other cases are now resolved.
There are 309 new cases in Toronto, 289 in Peel, 117 in York Region, 80 in Ottawa and 52 in Durham.
Premier Doug Ford says we’ve reached the up slope of the second wave of COVID-19.
Ontario is reporting 700 new cases Monday, marking a new record for the most daily infections ever recorded in the province.
The previous record was 640 on April 24.
Ford says this will be “More complicated, more complex, it will be worse then the first wave we faced earlier this year. And we’ve all played a critical role to play. Please follow the health guidance. Please download the COVID alert ap. Please get your flu shot.”
He stresses our collective actions will decide if this will be a wave or a Tsunami.
Ford notes the time is now to hunker down, refocus and take the steps needed to get back on track.
According to the provincial report, 344 new cases were recorded in Toronto, 104 in Peel Region, 89 in Ottawa and 56 in York Region.
Ford says the provincial health team continues to look at its options and everything is on the table including an Ontario Hospital Association call to move those areas back to Stage 2 in reopening.
Meantime, the government is investing $52.5-million to recruit, retain and support over 3,700 more frontline health care workers and caregivers.
Ford says this will ensure our health care system can meet any surge in demand.
Here is a breakdown of funding
An additional $26.3 million to support personal support workers (PSWs) and supportive care workers, including:
-$14 million for the Personal Support Worker training funds to continue training PSWs in the home and community care and long-term care sectors;
-$10.3 million for the new Personal Support Worker Return of Service Program, to recruit and retain recent graduates to work in long-term care homes and in the home and community care sectors. This program will provide -A $5,000 incentive to 2,000 recent graduates for a six-month commitment to work in these settings;
-$1.3 million to train 160 supportive care workers to provide basic home support services; and
-$700,000 in accelerated PSW training for 220 students with prior health experience to practice in Ontario.
An additional $26 million to support nurses, including:
-$18 million for Ontario’s Nursing Graduate Guarantee program, which provides full-time salary and benefits for over 600 nurses with a focus on recruiting in areas of need such as long-term care homes and acute care settings; and
-Up to $8 million to add over 800 nurses to the health system in areas of need across the province.
The province is supporting frontline workers, families and caregivers by:
-Investing $200,000 to improve the matching algorithm for the Ontario Matching Portal, which will enable employers to get faster matches that best meet their needs;
-Expanding training, tools and resources available to frontline workers across the social services sector; and
-Continuing to update visitor policies for congregate care settings, including long-term care, that promote family and caregiver involvement to support better care and reduce isolation.
COVID-19 was the focus of an address to the country by the Prime Minister last night.
Justin Trudeau says the second wave isn’t just starting, it is already underway, “The numbers are clear. Back on March 13th, when we went into lockdown, there were 47 new cases of COVID-19. Yesterday alone, we had well over a thousand. We are on the brink of a fall than could be much worse than the spring.”
Trudeau says we have the power to get this second wave under control, “Together, we have the power to get this second wave under control. I know we can do it, because we’ve already done it once before. In the spring, we all did out part by staying home. This fall, we have even more tools in the toolbox.”
Trudeau adds, “I know this isn’t the news that any of us wanted to hear. We can’t change today’s numbers or even tomorrow’s . Those were already decided by what we did or didn’t do two weeks ago. What we can change is where we are in October and into the winter. It all too likely we won’t be gathering for for Thanksgiving, but we still have a shot at Christmas.”
He called on Canadians to show resilience, “This is not the first time our country has been called to stand united and strong. In the face of change, our greatest generation showed us that overcoming crisis, isn’t easy, but they didn’t give up and neither can we.”
Trudeau says it is about safety and what is right for Canadians.
“Parents feeling like they can’t get their life under control, to kids wondering why mom and dad can’t fix this, to seniors feeling like there is nothing they can do, and thinking about all of the things you can’t do. But can’t won’t define us. We can bed the curve. We can build a stronger future. We can define the change.”
LIVE: Opposition parties respond to PM Trudeau’s address to Canadians #cdnpoli https://t.co/S7T6wK0jvJ
– CPAC (@CPAC_TV) September 23, 2020
The Chief Medical Officer of Health at the Northwestern Health Unit doesn’t believe we’ve reached the feared second wave of COVID-19.
Ontario is reported 478 new cases of the coronavirus Tuesday, the highest one-day increase since May 2.
Dr. Kit Young Hoon says the numbers are a lot different here at home.
“Definitely we’re not seeing a large increase here to indicate that there’s a wave happening. So we’ve only seen a few individual cases. There’s not been indication of transmission up to this point anyway. So I wouldn’t call this a second wave in Northwestern Health Unit.
Three new cases have been reported in our area since September 14.
Dr. Kit Young Hoon notes most of the cases are in southern Ontario.
“I know they are seeing increasing number of cases due to certain types of interactions, so they’ve noted more formal gatherings, which is why they’ve put in those gathering limits. Whether it’s a full second wave. I think it’s a bit to early to determine that.”
153 of the new cases are in Toronto, 95 are in Peel Region and 90 are in Ottawa.
Dr. Kit Young Hoon says “It might just be an increase. The aim at this point is to control the increase so that’s it’s manageable from a health sector perspective. So really trying to flatten the curve. So I wouldn’t say it’s a second wave at this point. It’s too early to say.”
