2 mobile health units coming to the GTA: Trudeau

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the federal government is sending two mobile health units to the GTA amid high hospitalization and ICU numbers in the region.

Trudeau says the mobile units will provide 200 hospital beds and free up space for people who need ICU care. He did not specify where exactly in the GTA the units will be located.

Trudeau adds each of the units will provide vital medical equipment and supplies.

Currently in Ontario, there are 1,512 people in hospital with 383 in ICU and 291 on a ventilator. A third of those hospitalized are in Toronto with 504 hospitalizations.

The units will be “deployed as rapidly as possible” and will be available to Ontario until May 1.

Federal Public Safety Minister Bill Blair said the mobile health units will also help with the transfer of non-critical care patients out of critical care units to free up resources.

“This will help relieve pressure on Ontario’s strained hospital capacity due to the prevalence of COVID-19,” he said.

The province will provide the staff for the units.

Ontario Health Minister Christine Elliott said the units are another tool in the fight against COVID-19.

“As Ontario continues to add more hospital beds and build capacity in our health-care system, these new mobile health units will further help us alleviate the strain on our hospitals and intensive care units,” she said in a statement.

During his press conference, the prime minister also warned residents not to travel during March Break and they may be announcing new travel restrictions in the coming days.

“People should not be planning non-essential travel outside of the country … We could be bringing in new measures that significantly impede your ability to return to Canada at any given moment without warning.

“It’s not the time to travel,” Trudeau reiterated.