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Ahead of the Ontario government’s announcement of tougher measures for COVID-19 hot spots, York region officials on Thursday asked not to be moved to the lockdown zone.
In a letter to Premier Doug Ford, York Region President and CEO Wayne Emmerson, and Dr Karim Kurji, York Region Chief Medical Officer of Public Health, they called for the area to remain in the control or red pending category. to see the impact of the restrictions that were imposed on Monday.
Both officials wrote that they believe such measures are sufficient and “will do a lot to prevent new cases of COVID-19 in our communities.”
They said the outcome of the restrictions should be seen at the end of the month and that they are “confident” that case numbers will drop.
The letter comes after the premier said some new “tough” measures are coming to the province’s hotspots – Toronto, Peel and the York region – as new infections, ICU admissions and deaths continue to rise.
“Tomorrow, our government will release further public health restrictions based on the best medical advice and, as it is looking at, these measures will have to be tough in the most affected areas,” Ford said.
“We are seeing relative trends. Our hospital intensive care units are in jeopardy. Our long-term care homes are at risk. We have some difficult but necessary decisions to make.”
Under the gray zone or blockade, the province said large-scale measures and restrictions are foreseen, including closures, and a declaration of emergency should be considered.
Emmerson and Kurji acknowledged that the number of new cases and positivity rates in the region continue to be high, but they believe the current measures “likely” will work.
The York region reported 143 new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday. Its seven-day moving average is 180.
In their letter, Emmerson and Kurji said company inspections showed that most of the factories are complying. Residents also abide by public health measures, including the use of masks.
They also noted that the three hospitals in the region continue to manage COVID-19 patients and “have not seen evidence of strains of ability.”
Additionally, Emmerson and Kurji said school epidemics remain manageable and workplace epidemics are seeing a decline. As of Thursday, there are 42 outbreaks in the region.
“It is our position that good case management, contact and outbreak control continue to be our most effective means of reducing new cases in the community,” officials said.
Both officials said the region is also committed to increasing law enforcement activities by York Regional Police and law officers in areas where collection restrictions are being violated.
While they want to be barred from being put on a lockdown, officials said they welcome any additional measures to control the spread of COVID-19 in shopping malls, large retail outlets and banquet halls.
“Our small businesses in the York region, as they do throughout Ontario, continue to do whatever is required of them to stay open and keep their customers, themselves and their families safe,” Emmerson said. Kurji.
“We must all defend them and keep as many businesses open as possible.”
“We want a little more time”
Speaking to CP24 on Thursday night, Kurji said it takes 10 to 12 days for the effects of the restrictions to be reflected in the numbers, which is why he wants the region to remain in the red zone.
“This was actually the case when we entered the Phase 2 modification period – it took 10 to 12 days for the case numbers to drop. So, we ask you to wait a bit,” the doctor said.
“We want to balance livelihoods with the health effects of COVID-19. Of course, there are the mental health effects, even the social effects when you’re going for a block.”
Kurji said many small businesses have already closed due to the pandemic and that entering a blockade will hurt the most struggling entrepreneurs.
The doctor expects a decline in the number of new cases in the area in the coming days.
“I am reasonably confident and optimistic that we will be able to achieve (that goal), and we will make a concerted effort in regards to enforcement activities,” Kurji said.
“If we are not successful, then we may have to review our positions.”
Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti supports the letter, saying the situation has stabilized in the region.
“We think we want at least another week to see how the red zone measures are affecting the number of cases,” Scarpitti said in an interview with CP24.
“We are different from Toronto and Peel. We actually feel with the measures that are in place with the control zone and if they also introduce some additional measures for shopping malls, department stores and grocery stores and banquet halls, we think. this will have enough impact to stabilize the number of cases, so we won’t go into another bloc. “
Vaughan Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua echoed Scarpitti, saying the York Region handled the pandemic “exceptionally well”.
While it is important that adequate restrictions are put in place, the mayor also stressed the importance of taking personal responsibility, following public health guidelines to curb the spread of the virus.
“I think people have to recognize that these are extraordinary times. They require extraordinary measures,” Bevilacqua said.
“It depends on our will and on our personal responsibility. This is what will allow us to overcome this very difficult and demanding time”.
– with CP24 personnel files
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