A recent increase in coronavirus cases shows Ontario is “losing ground” in its fight against COVID-19, the Ontario Hospital Association warned Sunday.
In a news release, Anthony Dale, the president of the organization which represents the province’s public hospitals, implored Ontarians to continue following public health measures.
“Unfortunately, Ontario’s COVID-19 reproduction rate is now over 1 and the spread of infection is accelerating,” Dale said.
“Daily case growth is now over 200, a clear warning sign that our hard-won progress is slipping away. It is the responsibility of each of us to take steps immediately to halt this alarming trend.”
On Sunday, Ontario reported 204 new coronavirus cases — the third day in a row that figure has been above 200. It marked a slight drop compared to Saturday when 232 were reported, though overall cases have been trending upwards in recent days.
COVID-19-related deaths, meanwhile, have been largely stable, though are often seen as a lagging indicator.
Most of the recent case jumps appear to be in the Greater Toronto Area and Ottawa. In Sunday’s report, 63 were from Toronto, 47 from Ottawa, 35 from Peel Region, and 11 from York Region. Thirteen cases were from Windsor-Essex.
Last week, Premier Doug Ford called Toronto, Ottawa, and Brampton “hot spots” for coronavirus in the province. Ford also said local medical officers of health should reimpose restrictions if needed.
“Without continued vigilance, today’s isolated outbreaks in Toronto, Peel, York and Ottawa could easily spread throughout communities right across Ontario,” Dale said.
“If current trends continue to accelerate, economic restrictions may tighten once more, and the school year for our children will be in jeopardy.”