The province of Ontario has been advised to “stay the course” with its pandemic restrictions, which could result in the stay-at-home order being extended until June.
While Ontario’s third wave battle is “better than it was” in April, Health Minister Christine Elliott stated that the province is looking for a “pretty significant drop” in case numbers and ICU admissions before lifting the order.
If the stay-at-home order is extended by two weeks, it will last until June 2.
On Monday, CTV News Toronto inquired with Premier Doug Ford’s office about when the decision on whether to extend the stay-at-home order would be made.
A Ford spokesperson stated that they “don’t have any details” at this time.
Dr. Barbara Yaffe, Ontario’s Associate Chief Medical Officer of Health, was asked last week if she believes the province is ready to relax restrictions. She expressed concern that reopening too soon might result in a fourth wave of COVID-19.
As of Monday, more than 1,632 people were hospitalized as a result of COVID-19, though officials cautioned that the figure could be underestimated because not all hospitals submitted their data this weekend.
At least 828 of these patients are in critical care, and 547 are breathing with the help of a ventilator. During the peak of the third wave, the number of patients in intensive care exceeded 900.
Source: CTV
