Further lockdowns possible if COVID-19 cases continue to increase: Ford

Parts of Ontario could see another lockdown if the province cannot get a handle on increasing rates of COVID-19, Premier Doug Ford warned Monday as the government reported a daily increase of new cases not seen since early June.

Ford said the recent spike in virus rates over the past two weeks has his government concerned, conceding in his daily media update that he is considering closing down hard-hit areas.

The premier said the lockdowns would be regional, and not mirror the broad approach taken during the first wave of the virus in March.

“We will take every step necessary including further shutdowns,” he said. “The second wave of COVID-19, it’s a scenario that we’ve been preparing for all summer long.”

The province reported 313 new cases of COVID-19 on Monday, with nearly 80 per cent of them centred on three regions. Toronto reported 112 cases, Peel Region recorded 71 and 60 surfaced in Ottawa.

Ford stressed that while a second wave is coming, Ontario residents can lessen its impact by continuing to follow public health guidance. This includes avoiding social gatherings, which he said have contributed to the recent spike in new cases.

“It’s not the bars … or the restaurants, it’s social gatherings,” he said. “So folks, I’m begging you. Please just cut out the social gatherings. It’s just not worth it because this COVID is ramping up again.”

Health Minister Christine Elliott said the province will unveil a new strategy to address COVID-19 this fall which will take into account flu season and current capacity challenges in both long-term care facilities and hospitals.

“I think it’s fair to say that the second wave is going to be more complicated and more difficult to deal with than the first wave,” she said.

NDP Leader Andrea Horwath said the province should have released the plan weeks ago.

“The reality is, we’re staring down these over 300 (daily) cases now,” she said. “Today, the government was saying we have a plan for a second wave, it’s obviously a day short and more than a penny short. That’s what we’ve seen thus far from this government.”

Ontario’s associate chief medical officer of health urged people to remain vigilant when it comes to attending social gatherings.

Dr. Barbara Yaffe said she thinks there has been confusion about rules surrounding the gatherings of up to 50 people in indoor settings, adding that physical distance should be maintained and masks should be worn when it’s not possible to remain two metres away from other attendees.

“We do understand how hard it has been on everyone these last few months,” she said. “We know there is a desire to interact with your friends and family and those outside your social circle. But we are now seeing the effects of people being too casual.”