Prime Minister Doug Ford warned Tuesday that the wave of COVID-19 in Ontario “will affect us more than the previous one. “
His comments came on the same day as Canada’s most sensible public aptitude civil service, dr. Theresa Tam warned that the country is now at a crossroads towards a primary resurgence of the virus.
“It will be more complicated than before,” Said Ford, a prediction about the expansion of COVID-19 cases, the upcoming flu season, solving more time indoors as the weather cools, and the buildup of surgeries and other medical services. procedures that require special attention.
Tam said that if the prestige quo remains relative to the number of others in contact with each other, there will be a build-up of infections.
If other people’s contacts increase, the epidemic will recover faster and more potently as other contagious people spread the virus.
However, he says, if the contact rate is reduced, the epidemic will be below at maximum places.
But how complicated it will be to end the virus is still a big question, Ford said.
“We know that a wave is coming for now, we know that it will be more confusing than the first wave, we know that it will be more complicated for the system. What we do know is how bad it will be, how much it will affect us. Because it depends on all of us, we all have a role to play,” he said.
The Canadian Public Health Agency published its most recent model on Tuesday, predicting up to 155,795 and up to 9,300 deaths in early October if the epidemic’s existing trajectory continues.
A complication in the coming months will be the flu season, which Ford boarded at his press conference.
The prime minister announced that the province is launching “the flu vaccination crusade in Ontario’s history. “
This is one of the many elements of the province’s action plan for a wave of COVID-19 at a time imaginable in the autumn, a plan that, according to the Prime Minister, is so vast and complex that it takes several days for its main points to be implemented.
“It’s a big, big plan, very robust, full of objects. If we put it all in at the same time, the message may not reach people,” Ford said.
“We know that Ontario residents are concerned about the increase in the number of cases; we need others to perceive all facets of the plan,” said Health Minister Christine Elliott. It also noted that many elements of the plan had already been implemented. .
In total, Ontario reported on Tuesday 478 new instances of COVID-19, the largest accumulation in instances at the provincial point since early May.
The province ordered more than five million doses of influenza vaccine (700,000 more than last year), adding 1. 3 million high-dose vaccines for the elderly; prioritize the early distribution of the influenza vaccine to vulnerable populations and make high-dose vaccines available to seniors in some pharmacies; Set aside another $26. 5 million for additional doses if needed; and launch a crusade to inspire the public to get vaccinated against the flu.
Elliott explained that flu vaccination has been shown to reduce emergency room visits and waiting times, which in turn will help maintain the hospital’s capacity for any increase in COVID-19. Flu shots will be available “in the coming weeks,” said Elliott, in the circle of medical family members and nurse practitioners’ offices, public fitness equipment and pharmacies attractive to anyone over the age of five or older.
Every year, several thousand more people are hospitalized with flu and headaches; Last year, 280 Ontarioers died from the flu, Elliott said.
On the COVID-19 review front, Ford welcomed the Eastern Ontario Paramedical Initiative over the weekend that saw more than 2,700 COVID-19-verified people at a driving service in the Canadian Tire Centre parking lot. see this style replicated throughout the province.
He also suggested Health Canada give soft green to an immediate detection option for COVID-19.
“Nothing is more critical than getting approval for this product. . . plays such an important role in our trials. “
In the coming days, the main extra points of the fall preparedness plan will be implemented. According to the province, this is the continued expansion of COVID-19 tests; outbreak control Efforts to reduce delays in fitness services on an accelerated schedule; Preparation of the COVID-19 wave; recruitment and retention of fitness workers.
Hours earlier, the federal government announced that it had reached an agreement with pharmaceutical company Sanofi to guarantee up to 72 million doses of a COVID-19 vaccine it is developing, and also expanded Canada’s claim about the doses of a leading vaccine. Latest check from Inc. through $14 million.
“These contracts reflect our current strategy for a diverse range of potential vaccines,” Minister of Supply and Public Services Anita Anand said Tuesday.
“In short, when a vaccine is in a position, we will be able to offer it to Canadians across the country. “
He also announced that Canada has signed a new agreement with Gilead Sciences and McKesson Canada to secure a source of up to 150,000 vials of Remdesivir, legal through Health Canada for the remedy of severe COVID-19 cases.
“This effort is imperative as we prepare for every scenario imaginable, adding an increase in cases in the fall and winter seasons,” Anand said.
With Postmedia and the Canadian press
Choose from several subscription packages and stay up-to-date with convenient home delivery and our on-the-go virtual edition.