Toronto will soon open a center for others with COVID-19 who are isolated in their homes, a service that the federal government says is open to other cities in the country.
Health Minister Patty Hajdu said Friday that the federal government is offering $13. 9 million to Toronto Public Health, enough to run the 140-room isolation center that will open this weekend for the next 12 months.
“We’ve heard heartbreaking stories from others who know they’re in poor health and don’t have the ability to prevent spreading in their homes,” Hajdu said at a news convention in Toronto.
“This area will be available to others living in homes that don’t have the area to allow this smart distance. “
Dr. Eileen de Villa, Toronto’s medical health officer, said the isolation center “is an essential part” of the city’s plan to deal with the most likely resurgence of the new coronavirus.
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“It all comes down to this: many other people living under one roof and an inadequate area increase the threat of COVID-19 spreading in this home, meaning it can also spread in the community,” Villa said.
“This voluntary isolation reduces those risks. “
The city reported 71 new cases to the province on Friday, the number in Toronto since mid-June, according to the city’s website.
De Villa said public fitness researchers will determine on a case-by-case basis whether a user with the disease can gain advantages from isolation at the new center, rather than staying home.
Mayor John Tory said there are many in Toronto who are isolated in their homes.
“Knowledge showed us that low-income neighborhoods were disproportionately affected in the early stages and now through COVID-19, in part because other people living in those communities when they tested positive may have struggled to isolate themselves properly,” he said.
Tory said he and Fitness had been discussing the concept for several months with the federal government.
Hajdu said that lately there were no plans for facilities elsewhere, but that he had spoken to many mayors of primary cities since late June and that those talks continue.
“If the people want this service, yes, we will paint with them to make sure we can provide support,” he said.