Federal government to fund COVID-19 isolation facility for region

The federal government has confirmed it will fund a $6.5million facility in Peel Region for people who have COVID-19 and can’t isolate at home.

The announcement of the voluntary isolation facility comes amid an ongoing escalation of COVID-19 cases in Peel — and two months after Toronto received funding for such a site.

As of Nov. 13, Peel had an infection rate of 173.5 cases per 100,000 population and reported 471 new COVID-19 cases.

A voluntary isolation facility in Peel will allow those with COVID-19 who live in crowded homes to safely recover away from their families or roommates, thereby helping to limit household spread of the virus.

At a press conference Monday, Peel’s Medical Officer of Health Dr. Lawrence Loh had confirmed household transmission of the virus has long fuelled the region’s local epidemic.

Since January, close to 50 per cent of total COVID-19 cases in Peel were likely acquired through household contact, according to the region’s most recent epidemiological update. Between Oct. 22 and Nov. 5, 45 per cent of infections — some 1,377 people — are from household contacts, the report says.

Lodging, meals and incidentals, cleaning services and on-site security will be covered by federal funding. The facility will be “similar to the one established in Toronto in the fall” and “will support individuals who lack the space and means to undertake an effective isolation in their usual place of residence due to crowded housing,” a statement said.