A dire warning from Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health.
Dr. David Williams says we are at a critical juncture in the fight against COVID-19.
Public Health officials say the province could see as many as 6,500 cases per day by next month.
Dr. Williams says “The challenge is that we have to get these numbers down. To protect the health and safety of Ontarians and to protect our health care system from being overwhelmed. Especially as we enter respiratory virus season and flu season.”
University of Toronto’s Dr. Adalsteinn Brown is predicting a daily growth rate of 5%.
“Using the 5% rate of growth we actually have more cases than France, U.S., U.K., or Germany at this point and we’re getting close to where the Netherlands are.”
Officials says most of the recent cases in the province can be traced back to gatherings like parties, weddings and other social events.
Ontario reported record case numbers for a third straight day Thursday with 1,575 new infections.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is pushing premiers towards more stringent measures to curb the spread of the virus.
Premier Doug Ford says he “will not hesitate” to move forward to the next stage in the lockdown system and will make a decision on whether to do so Friday.
He’s scheduled to make an announcement at 1:30pm.
