Ontario's chief medical officer of health Dr. David Williams opens his daily briefing saying: "Alarm bells are ringing louder and louder." #onpoli
Other regions outside 3 "hotspots" are going up: Halton, York, Durham and Simcoe.
More cases are also showing up in schools, Dr. Williams says.
Positivity rate for this wave up to 2.1%: Williams. In high-risk areas of TO, Peel, Ottawa it's close to 3 %.
206 people in hospital; 46 in ICU. Numbers up from last week. "Some will say those are still small numbers," Dr. Williams says. "It's just the start of the curve rising up."
We're up to 112 outbreaks; doubled within 2 weeks. More and more outbreaks and range of locations: Dr. Huyer. Vulnerable sectors are increasing, "which is incredibly distressing." Also seeing more in schools.
Outbreaks are stretching into other settings; Halton, Muskoka, Niagara, Waterloo, eastern Ontario...
Age associated with outbreaks is rising from younger people to older people. Hospitalizations are increasing.
Dr. Huyer: we need to be able to provide testing in rapid way to outbreaks. Says it's important for people to think whether they have symptoms or been in contact w someone who has COVID before they get a test.
Need to minimize personal interactions to "essential."
Dr. Williams says contact tracing is more difficult because people have 50-100 close contacts within the past week.
"I don't understand that. Why would you have that kind of thing. What don't you understand about our messaging?"
"I don't understand that. Why would you have that kind of thing. What don't you understand about our messaging?"
Williams says it's "really irresponsible" to have that many contacts.
"THE MESSAGE IS SO CLEAR, IT'S OBVIOUS" - Dr. Williams says. #onpoli
Dr. Williams says he doesn't want a lockdown, doesn't want to close schools, doesn't want outbreaks in long-term care.
Dr. Huyer says people need to "change our ways" and think about their own behaviour.
Are more public health measures coming? Dr. Williams - "It's under the (health) table for discussion. the timing of it - or the content - I can't really say.
"When the is right I'm sure the minister and Premier will be forthcoming."
"When the is right I'm sure the minister and Premier will be forthcoming."
Did you give recommendations to close indoor dining ? Williams doesn't answer directly, says he gave recommendations from public health table; "we have made recommendations up to cabinet for their consideration."
Why not move faster?
Dr. Williams: The public health measures are measures that we put into place when people aren't doing their public health measures.
Dr. Williams: The public health measures are measures that we put into place when people aren't doing their public health measures.
Dr. Williams confirms that cabinet has the final say on recommendations.
Soooo no answer on outdoor Thanksgiving visits then.
*not daily. twice-weekly now.
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