Ontario is announcing new restrictions to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in the province, effective immediately.
The province is extending its emergency stay at home order to six weeks and limiting border access with Manitoba and Quebec.
Premier Doug Ford is calling on the federal government to increase the supply of vaccines being sent to Ontario, citing their modeling which states that it is the only way to flatten the curve.
On Friday alone, Ontario declared 4,812 new cases of COVID-19 and 25 deaths. Over 700 patients are in Ontario ICUs due to COVID-related illness.
Without stronger measures, the modeling predicts that Ontario will see new daily caseloads escalate to 20,000 in the coming months.
Furey Offers Assistance, Stands Firm on Vaccine Distribution
(Photo: Pfizer Inc. Instagram)
Newfoundland and Labrador has offered COVID-19 support to Ontario by way of personnel, expertise, and extra equipment where capacity allows.
In a statement, Premier Andrew Furey indicated that the commitment was made with the understanding that the safety of the people in this province is “paramount.”
Furey says that he has been in contact with Premier Doug Ford several times, and is working with officials from Ontario and the federal government.
However, he believes that the per-capita model of vaccine allocations should be maintained. That, in response to an urgent plea from the Canadian Medical Association to address the explosion of COVID cases in other parts of the country. The CMA is calling for the re-prioritization of the nation’s vaccine distribution strategy to focus on areas of urgent need instead of the current per-capita approach.
“As the third wave of the pandemic wreaks havoc on the healthcare and public health systems, healthcare providers, and patients, we are at a critical juncture where a truly national approach to combatting COVID-19 will make the difference between more or fewer lives saved,” said Dr. Ann Collins, president of the CMA. “This country must come together to help support provinces most severely impacted.”
Premier Furey says that the dynamic nature of the pandemic means any province or territory could find itself in a serious situation at any point.
Premier Ford Extends Thanks
(Premier Doug Ford prepares to respond to media questions at Friday’s briefing. Image courtesy CPAC.)
Meanwhile, Premier Ford is expressing his gratitude for the help offered by Premier Furey.
In Ontario’s Friday afternoon briefing, in which they announced a six-week emergency lockdown, Ford highlighted Furey while speaking of the support he’s received from across the country.
Ford says Furey has been in contact more than anyone to offer his assistance. Ford mentioned a small team of health care workers that is being formed to aid Ontario.
Premier Furey released the following statement on the matter following Ontario’s briefing:
“The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has received the Government of Ontario’s request for health care workers and is looking into what we can provide.”
