Toronto Public Health vice-chair questions city’s COVID-19 policy
Toronto Public Health vice-chair questions city’s COVID-19 policy
“As we speak there are almost 3,000 people [in hospital] with COVID-19, about 10 per cent of those people have died,” says Dr. Christine Bartlett. This week, the head of Toronto Public Health was delivering a presentation on the city’s coronavirus response, and asked for an open question. “I was going to put up my hand and then we have to stop and I have not decided yet.”
Toronto Public Health vice-chair, Dr. Christine Bartlett, says Toronto has a number of issues on its head, such as the fact that the city is not testing for the coronavirus and also is not following a national pandemic response plan (see also here).
“We really need to take a look at our pandemic plan and see what we can change,” says Dr. Bartlett.
The question is:
“Could we have a plan that would allow us to begin to move forward as soon as possible?”
Toronto Public Health says it is committed to following the direction given by the province. In an email to Toronto residents, the department said it is doing everything it can to ensure “the health and safety of the community” in a difficult and unprecedented circumstance. “We fully understand you want the system to function, but without additional resources, we are asking for your patience as we work through this challenge,” Toronto Public Health said.
The COVID-19 pandemic has placed a strain on Toronto’s health system as well as the public. The city has now identified 13,074 cases and 449 dead from the virus as of Thursday.
At the same time, Toronto Public Health is asking the public to take a few steps to help minimize the spread of infection:
Stay in your own bubble. Keep your distance from those who have a temperature of 100. Get off the streets if you feel sick or have a fever as an effort to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
Cover your coughs and sneezes. Washing hands is the best defence against the coronavirus. Don’t touch your face.
Wash your hands often, especially