Ontario eyes closing playgrounds as new public health measure
Elliott urges end to gatherings, calling them ‘another way’ of spreading virus
Ontario is considering closing playgrounds in an attempt to prevent spread of novel coronavirus.
Health Minister Christine Elliott confirmed that is a step the government is looking at, saying she has been concerned to hear about people gathering in parks where groups of young children are playing together.
“Please don’t do this. It is another way COVID -19 can be transmitted,” the health minister said in an interview.
Elliott encouraged people to use backyards, if they have them, or to go for walks with their children individually. “I know with small children it is important to get out.”
She said ordering playgrounds closed, as British Columbia has done, is being considered in an effort to curb spread of the novel coronavirus. Other provinces have encouraged people to stay away from them in order to practise social distancing.
Her comments came on the day the Ontario government released a list of essential businesses that may remain open while others must close in an effort to reduce spread of COVID-19. Premier Doug Ford also said schools will not reopen on April 6 after an initial two-week shutdown, although there have not been more details.
Elliott said the efforts to stay at home and prevent spread of novel coronavirus are crucial to flatten the curve — or slow the daily increase in cases — and to protect the health system and health workers.
The province is also looking at moving so-called ALC (alternate level of care) patients into hotels and potentially into newly completed hospitals to make room for a surge of seriously ill COVID-19 patients in hospitals that are already over capacity.
“There is no question that there are going to be more demands on our hospitals.”
ALC patients — often the elderly who no longer need acute hospital care but can’t find more appropriate care, such as a long-term care home — can occupy up to one-quarter of hospital beds. Such a move would be a massive operation, but would give stressed hospitals breathing room before what could be a dramatic increase in cases.
On Tuesday, Ottawa’s medical office of health, Dr. Vera Etches, said one model predicts that Ottawa could see as many as 4,000 new cases a day during the pandemic’s peak.
Amid growing concerns about potential shortages of badly needed personal protective equipment, Elliott assured health workers that protective gear is available.
“We have PPE (personal protective equipment) for all health professionals who need it and we don’t want our front-line professionals being placed in danger themselves as a result of this.”
Elliott said the provincial government has heard from parts of the province that they are running short of supplies and they are being sent. She acknowledged there is a large global demand for PPE, but said Ontario is still receiving it from its regular suppliers.
The government is also in talks with local companies about retooling to begin manufacturing health supplies — including ventilators and surgical masks. Elliott said she spends a significant portion of her day sourcing new equipment.
The province recently procured one million more respirator masks and other equipment. More is coming from the federal government, she said. Despite that, there have been public pleas from some hospitals for people to donate unneeded PPE. In Ottawa, one contractor is calling on others to donate masks to local hospitals. (See story above.)
Elliott confirmed that predictive modelling based on case growth in Ontario was, in part, the reason the Ontario government took action to close more businesses this week.
She said residents of long-term care are a focus of provincial testing to “build an iron ring” around long-term care homes where the most vulnerable live. Long-term care homes in Ontario and other jurisdictions have been hit by the coronavirus which is much more deadly for the elderly with underlying health conditions.
The province has introduced a new interactive self-screening tool on its website.
Instead of going to assessment centres, people are encouraged first to do the self-assessment, then call Telehealth Ontario or a family doctor if more information is needed.