Ministry of Health coronavirus situation report #83

Situation:  

• 564 new cases were reported today in Ontario, bringing the cumulative total to 9,525 (this includes 4,556 resolved cases and 478 deaths).
• In Ontario, a total of 136,992 tests have been completed, with tests performed at Public Health Ontario Laboratories and non-Public Health Laboratories. There are currently 5,993 tests under investigation.
• 829 patients are currently hospitalized with COVID-19; 245 are in ICU; and 200 are in ICU on a ventilator.

Actions Taken:

• The Government of Ontario passed new emergency orders today, including:
  • Measures for work deployment and staffing forDistrict Social Services Administration Boards
  • Limiting employees working in retirement homes to a single workplace
  • Measures allowing for the redeployment of employees of Service Provider Organizations
  • Measures allowing for employee redeployment in municipalities
  • Regulation under the Highway Traffic Act for exemptions from weight load restrictions for the transport of essential goods and supplies
  • Regulation under Ambulance Act to ensure sufficient ambulance service personnel during the provincial declaration of emergency
• A memo to sector partners on the new regulation made under the Ambulance Act was issued today and is attached here (English only).
• There has been a slight update to the Quick Reference Public Health Guidance on Testing and Clearing Cases to provide additional information on work self-isolation for health care workers. The updated document is attached.
• The Consumption and Treatment Services Guidance Document was updated to provide further clarification on infection prevention and control/personal protective equipment and is available on the ministry’s website.
• The ministry has created a new guidance document for community-based mental health and addiction service providers in residential settings. It is attached here and will be posted to the ministry website shortly.
• All organizations involved in testing patients for COVID-19 are encouraged to review the guidelines for testing including Specimen Collection and Handling.
• A memo to hospitals on supporting staff redeployment to long-term care settings was issued today and is attached.
• The latest Command Table summary is attached.
• A new fact sheet on how to care for pets and other animals has been posted to the PHO website in English and French.

2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19): Q & A’s, News, Situation Reports, Directives and more