Doug Ford warns of second COVID-19 wave as Ontario reports 313 new cases

Thestar.com
Sept. 15, 2020
Robert Benzie

As Ontario reported the most COVID-19 cases in the province in more than three months, Premier Doug Ford said he fears a second wave is set to hit.

“Is it coming? Yes, I believe it’s coming as sure as I’m standing here, and I hope to God I’m wrong. I’d love to be up here a month later and say I was wrong, but it’s coming,” Ford said at his daily teleconference at Queen’s Park on Monday.

“A consistent spike over a two-week period, it’s concerning,” he said.

“Today’s numbers are a cause for concern for all of us. Let me be crystal clear, every option is on the table. We will take every step necessary, including further shutdowns.”

His comments came after in the wake of 313 new infections being detected Sunday, when 31,143 tests were conducted.

That’s the most in one day since 415 cases were detected on June 7, when 19,374 tests were done.

Breakdown

Out of 313 new infections detected in Ontario on Sept. 13, here are some highlights
112 New cases reported in Toronto
71 New cases reported in Peel region

The news came as millions of Ontario schoolchildren are back in classrooms for the first time in six months and as MPPs returned to Queen’s Park after a summer recess.

“I know its kind of like the perfect storm -- everyone, everything coming together, school starting, second wave, flu season, economy. We’re going to hit some bumps, but we’re ready for it,” the premier said.

NDP Leader Andrea Horwath expressed concern that the Progressive Conservative government has no plan for a second wave.

“Across Ontario, parents are nervously watching COVID case numbers increase,” said Horwath. “So parents are of course very nervous as they prepare to send their kids back to school.”

Health Minister Christine Elliott noted more than three-quarters of the latest cases were from just three regions, with 112 in Toronto, 71 in Peel Region and 60 in Ottawa.

Breakdown
Out of 313 new infections detected in Ontario on Sept. 13, here are some highlights
60 New cases reported in Ottawa
67% New cases in people under 40

“All other (public health units) have fewer than 10 new cases, except for York with 13 cases. Fifteen PHUs have no new cases,” she said on Twitter Monday.

The minister added that 67 per of the new cases were in people under the age of 40.

Speaking to reporters, Elliott conceded “there’s a lot of COVID fatigue out there,” but she said people must wear masks in indoor public places, on transit, and in crowds while maintaining physical distancing.

“Follow the proper hand hygiene. If you’re not feeling well, please don’t go out.”

Both she and Ford hinted that more stringent measures are looming to discourage the social gatherings, such as weddings and parties, that are being blamed for the increase.

While the premier said he would have more to say about that later this week, he played down the need for all of Ontario to revert to Stage 2 of reopening and again prohibit restaurants and bars from offering indoor service.

“Where are we seeing the cases? The most common answer is social gatherings. It’s not the bars per se or the restaurants. It’s social gatherings. So, folks, I’m begging you, please just cut out the social gatherings. It’s just not worth it because it’s this COVID is ramping up again,” said Ford.

“Bottom line, and we’ll be coming up to discuss that further this week ... but we’ll do everything we can to monitor. I’ll be Premier Dad, Premier Granddad, Premier Anyone. I just want these folks not to have reckless parties.”

Queen’s Park says 2,816 people have died from the virus since the outbreak struck in March. Data reconciliation actually lowered the death toll by one from the day before.

The Star has determined there have been at least 2,858 COVID-19 deaths in Ontario. That difference of 42 deaths is because some deaths were not included in official tallies early in the pandemic.

There are 47 COVID-19 patients in Ontario hospitals, 17 of whom are in intensive-care units. Of those, eight are on ventilators.

Across the province, there were 1,848 active cases as of Monday morning. That’s the most since July 4, when there were 1,886.

At the peak of the pandemic in April, Ontario was averaging nearly 600 new cases daily. The highest was April 24 with 640 infections reported when just 12,295 tests were conducted.

The daily Star tally of regional health units found 371 new COVID-19 cases in the 24 hours ending 5 p.m. Monday.

But because some health units do not report cases to their websites on the weekend, the Star’s count tends to be higher on Mondays. One fatal case was reported Monday in Ottawa.

The vast majority of the province’s COVID-19 patients have since recovered, and the recent rise in cases has not yet resulted in a significant jump in hospitalizations or deaths.

Colleges and Universities Minister Ross Romano said the government is in constant contact with local public health officials about COVID-19 cases linked to off-campus parties. At London’s Western University, there are five cases of COVID-19.

Queen’s Park is encouraging all Ontarians to download the free federal COVID Alert app that helps with contact tracing so positive cases can be quickly isolated.