Ontario reports 478 new cases of COVID-19
As province hits highest daily count since May, it’s time to get moving on a plan.
Ontario has marked its highest daily number of new COVID-19 cases since early May when the province was under a strict lockdown, but Premier Doug Ford said he’s not ready to impose any new restrictions yet despite warning “the next wave will come at us harder than the last one.”
The premier touted more flu shots as the first element of his fall pandemic preparedness plan, which will be unveiled over the next several days, saying the vaccinations will help keep hospital beds free for COVID-19 patients and clear a backlog of surgeries after thousands were cancelled last winter and spring.
“It’s absolutely critical,” Ford told a news conference Tuesday. “Please get your flu shot this year.”
The plea came hours after the Ministry of Health reported 478 new COVID-19 cases, up from 425 the previous day, marking the fourth time since Friday that more than 400 people have tested positive. There were three new deaths. In contrast, Ontario had just 108 cases a month ago.
On its worst day in the first wave of the pandemic, Ontario reported 640 new cases on April 24.
With a population of 14.5 million, the province has purchased 5.1 million doses of flu vaccine, about 700,000 more than were administered last flu season, and is prepared to buy more in hopes of heading off the 5,719 hospitalizations and 280 deaths from influenza in Ontario last year. A number of doctors and epidemiologists have urged Ford to impose further restrictions immediately to curb the spread of the highly contagious virus, noting the cases reported each day were transmitted from one person to another about a week ago — meaning numbers could quickly get out of hand.
“We need more restrictions sooner rather than later,” Dr. Irfan Dhalla, a vice-president and general internist at St. Michael’s Hospital, urged on Twitter, recommending closing indoor service at restaurants and bars, and reducing class sizes in schools.
“I’m not sure flu shots will make a big difference in the fight against COVID-19,” he added.