Toronto in its coronavirus peak as pandemic activity slows, hospitalizations decrease
The COVID-19 “pandemic activity” in Toronto is in its peak period, as the doubling rate of cases has slowed over the last two weeks, and hospitalizations decrease.
According to Toronto’s Medical Officer of Health Dr. Eileen de Villa, there are 3,682 total COVID-19 cases in the city, with 262 hospitalized and 99 in ICU.
There are 181 deaths, as of Monday.
City of Toronto
De Villa said that based on data models, the curve of pandemic activity show’s the city is in its peak period and hospitalizations have not seen the “dramatic surge we feared,” and that there has been less hospitalizations each day.
The city’s peak information comes after the province announced that COVID-19 community outbreak has likely peaked, with cases growing in long-term care homes, earlier on Monday.
“We are seeing our curve flattening because you are washing your hands, you are staying home, and you are keeping a safe distance from your friends, your families, and other loved ones,” said de Villa.
The Medical Officer of Health noted that there are two demographics to focus on, one being the broader community and the other being congregate settings like shelters and long-term care homes.
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Hospitalizations have been largely attributed to the broader community and response measures are mostly geared towards physical distancing.
But for deaths, the numbers have been significantly attributed to long-term care homes and response in these settings revolve on preventative control measures.
In long-term care, hospitals and retirement homes there have been 1,039 confirmed cases with 123 reported deaths — updated reports on these numbers will be provided every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
City of Toronto
De Villa said that the measures in place will need to kept in place for “more time,” a sentiment that was shared by Mayor John Tory.
“I share in her cautious optimism, your efforts are helping to flatten the curve. Thank you to every resident who is doing their part to slow the spread of the virus,” Tory said.
“The message is clear we’ve come a long way. We will win as long as we stay the course, and we are staying the course.”
In order to help vulnerable groups, Tory announced that city staff will be redeployed to areas of need, with 500 staff having already been reassigned to long-term care homes and shelters.
After discussions with the workers unions — Local 79 and Local 416 — an agreement has been made regarding emergency framework agreements on the reassignment of staff.
All union and non-union staff will be given a survey allowing them to opt in or out of being reassigned. For those that opt out, they would be placed on emergency leave and will be eligible for CERB and EI, and will have access to their health benefits but will not be provided with the same pay.
The survey will be handed out to 1,900 city staff in the first wave, Tory said.
The Mayor also addressed the shooting in Nova Scotia on Sunday night, saying the Toronto sign has been dimmed in solidarity with the province.
“When something unimaginable happens in Canada it deeply affects all of us.”
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