Here are the latest developments on the coronavirus pandemic in the Greater Toronto Area for Monday.
COVID-19 vaccinations cut back over holidays due to staff shortages, government says
The Ontario government was criticized Monday after having said it cut back on administering COVID-19 vaccines during the Christmas holidays. According to the Ministry of Health, the cut was due to staff shortages.
“As with any holiday season, ensuring proper staff coverage can be challenging,” the ministry said in a statement.
“Schedules for vaccination clinics were adjusted over the holidays to ensure that there was no impact on staffing levels within the long-term care homes or for the hospitals operating the clinics.”
Several health-care workers have since taken to social media to criticize the government, adding that they and many others would have been happy to help at vaccination clinics over the holidays.
Ontario changes policy on reserving vaccines
Ontario has changed its policy on reserving vaccines for second doses.
The province initially said it was going to reserve doses for the second required shot of the Pfizer vaccine in case of a supply chain issue when it began administering them this month.
However, Ministry of Health spokesperson Alexandra Hilkene said Monday that policy has since changed.
“We are not holding or reserving doses, and are vaccinating as many people as possible, counting on confirmed shipments of the vaccine that will arrive over the coming weeks for second doses,” Hilkene said.
Death toll rises to 43 at Scarborough long-term care home
Two more residents have died at a Scarborough long-term care home in the midst of a coronavirus outbreak, raising the death toll there to 43.
A statement from North York General Hospital said Tendercare Living Centre also had 107 resident cases on Monday and 43 staff members in isolation.
Twenty previously infected residents are now considered to be resolved cases. Another 34 staff members have also been declared virus-free, with nine having been cleared to return to work, officials said.
The statement said progress is being made with regards to improving staffing levels at the home, though efforts continue to be made to address the “significant need” that remains for more nurses.
Updated numbers not provided by province Monday
The Ontario government didn’t release updated coronavirus data on Monday with it being a statutory holiday.
On Tuesday, the province will release both Monday and Tuesday’s numbers.
— With files from Gabby Rodrigues
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