The Ontario Hospital Association (OHA) is throwing their support behind the provincial government’s decision to move Toronto, Peel and Ottawa back to a modified Stage 2, but they say more needs to be done.
“Given today’s report of more than 900 new COVID-19 infections, Ontario’s hospitals call on the people of Ontario to take action to prevent the acceleration of infections province-wide,” said the association in a statement.
“Without [stronger] measures, the OHA warned that we would soon see higher numbers of hospitalizations,” the statement continued. “Regrettably, what was once a theoretical risk is now reality – and it is upon us.”
Calling the sky-high case counts “worrisome and dangerous,” top doctors say that COVID-19 hospitalizations have jumped by more than 250 per cent in the last three weeks.
They also say that the number of intensive care beds occupied by COVID-19 patients is expected to pass the 150 mark within the next 30 days.
This increase would lead to setbacks as hospitals try to clear the backlog of surgeries and ensure people can still access vital procedures.
However, the responsibility doesn’t end at the doorstep of Queen’s Park.
“On behalf of Ontario’s hospitals, as we enter the Thanksgiving long weekend the OHA asks every Ontarian to take immediate steps to safeguard the health of their families, friends and neighbours and protect finite capacity and capabilities of our health care system,” the statement concludes. “The choices and sacrifices we each make in the days, weeks and months ahead will make all the difference.”
The choices and sacrifices we each make in the days, weeks and months ahead will make all the difference. Take the Pledge to #StopTheSpread today: https://t.co/mH2USyjLVn
— Ont. Hospital Assoc. (@OntHospitalAssn) October 9, 2020
