'Everything is on the table': Ford to hold emergency meeting amid rising COVID-19 cases

Citynews.ca
Dec. 18

Premier Doug Ford is holding an emergency meeting on Friday amid rising cases of COVID-19 in the province.

In a tweet, Ford said he is meeting with Health Minister Christine Elliott, Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. David Williams and the province’s hospital leaders to “discuss next steps to break the concerning trends in cases and hospitals in our province.”

“Everything is on the table when it comes to protecting the health of Ontarians,” he added.

On Thursday, the province reported a daily record high of 2,432 cases -- marking the third straight day that overall cases topped 2,000. The seven-day average for new cases has also reached a record 2,026.

The record rise in new cases comes as the Ontario Hospital Association is calling for a four-week lockdown in hot zones in order to avoid a “devastating surge in COVID-19 patients” in provincial hospitals.

Toronto, Peel Region and York Region are currently under a lockdown, but Toronto and Peel are nearing the end of their 28-day lockdown after it went into effect on Nov. 23.