Health official further warns against in-person gatherings in Brampton

Brampton | Ontario | Latest News |

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Published October 28, 2020 at 1:43 pm

At an October 28 conference, Mayor Patrick Brown, Dr. Lawrence Loh, Peel’s Medical Officer of Health and Dr. Naveed Mohammad, President and Chief Executive Officer, William Osler Health System, provided updates on the ongoing COVID-19 crisis in Brampton.

As of yesterday evening (October 27), Peel Public Health investigated 8,147 cases of COVID-19 in the City of Brampton; 877 of which are active, 7,173 have recovered and 97 have passed away, announced Loh during the conference.

“As my colleague, Dr. Mohammad has spoken to, at William Osler Health System, I understand that they are also seeing more COVID-19 hospitalizations, some of whom require intensive care,” said Loh.

Yesterday, the provincial government announced that William Osler Health System will be receiving up to 87 total patient beds to help with hospital capacity pressures and to reduce wait times, which includes 41 beds at Osler’s Brampton Civic Hospital and 46 beds at Osler’s Etobicoke General Hospital.

“The new beds just announced at Osler do not need to be filled with COVID-19 patients,” said Loh.

During today’s (October 28) conference, Dr. Loh stated that this past weekend, a rapid case rise of infections arising from the broader community were seen, which were likely driven by gatherings that occurred around Thanksgiving.

“This data is now consistent with the arrival of the second wave of COVID-19 in Peel,” said Loh.

“It means that our return to a modified Stage 2 may have come at just the right time to help reduce overall interactions some what, but we must go further,” he added, emphasizing the importance of limiting in-person contact to avoid another surge after Halloween.

Loh then stated that social gatherings remain “a huge driver of transmission” and urged the public to restrict close contact with only immediate households and essential supports.

“For everyone else beyond that, as hard as it is, assume that they may be harbouring the virus,” said Loh.

“Everyone, no matter how long you’ve known them or how well you know them; letting someone get within your two meters is exposing yourself to everyone that they may have interacted with in two meters within the last two weeks.”

“I cannot stress more. For in-person gatherings, cancel, postpone or meet virtually if you can,” concluded Loh.

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