New modeling for the coronavirus in Ontario is expected to be unveiled early this week. It comes as the province is averaging well over 3,000 new cases a day and officials expect the numbers to continue to rise.
Nearly 5,000 people in Ontario have died from the coronavirus. many of them in long-term care homes. Provincial officials confirmed 3,945 cases on Sunday, which brings the total number of cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic to more than 215,000.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford suggested the modeling about to be released is frightening.
“Friends, we are going to see some real turbulent waters over the next few months. Our healthcare system is on the brink of being overwhelmed and we must take every precaution to keep our most vulnerable safe," Ford said. "The modeling is a wake up call to anyone that’s seen it. Until the people of Ontario see how serious the situation we are facing, I think a lot of people understand it, but there’s a lot of people that are ignoring the health measures that the public health has put out there. They’re still gathering outside of family groups and when you see the modeling, you’ll fall off your chair.”
Ford has already said that tougher measures are coming, even though a province-wide lockdown is already in effect.
The CBC reported Monday that Ontario's latest COVID-19 modeling will project the province's intensive care units to be filled beyond capacity by early February, and will also show how a new, more contagious variant of the coronavirus risks accelerating the spread of infections.
Hospitals have said there are more than 400 people in intensive care units with COVID-19 .and it has become nearly impossible to provide care to those with non-COVID-related illnesses.
The hot spots in Ontario continue to be the City of Toronto and the Peel Region to its west.
