Source: CBC
Another 4,212 cases of COVID-19 have been reported in Ontario, along with 32 deaths. 136,695 vaccine doses were administered yesterday, a new high; 790 patients were treated in intensive care units, the most ever in Ontario. Yesterday alone, 72 more patients were admitted to ICUs, bringing the total to 72 in a single day. Lab tests completed 51,877 tests for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes the pandemic, with a 7.9 percent positivity rate across the province.
The seven-day average of daily deaths has risen to 25.6, a new high for the pandemic’s third wave. As the province’s health-care system approaches its breaking point, Health Minister Christine Elliott suggested yesterday that a provincially run paid sick leave program is being considered. Calandra stated that in the coming days, the province will make “additional enhancements” to the currently available federal program.
The government refused unanimous consent for a motion from the Liberal caucus that would have resulted in the immediate passage of Bill 247, which would have provided workers with 10 paid sick days. The refusals came despite repeated requests from the government’s own health advisors, local medical officers of health, outside infectious disease experts, and labor advocates over a period of months.
