In Ontario hospitals, 382 people are currently receiving COVID-19 treatment in intensive care. The figure is 21% higher than when the province was put on lockdown in December.
It could be weeks before the full extent of the healthcare system’s burden is realized. Concern variants now account for 67% of all cases in the province. According to experts, the presence of the variants is causing an increase in hospitalizations among younger people.
“These variants are not a benign issue for people under 50,” says Dr. David Williams, Chief Medical Officer of Health. The Ford administration has changed the rules for lockdown zones to allow dining on patios of bars and restaurants. It has also stated that personal care services will be permitted in areas under lockdown as early as April 12.
The science table report does not make any specific policy recommendations. It does warn, however, that the new variants will place a “significantly greater burden” on the health-care system.
Source: cp24
