Ontario's Premier told reporters Friday morning everything is on the table to stem the rising tide of COVID-19 cases province-wide, including a lockdown like the one back in March.
Doug Ford is already preparing the public for what new modelling on the pandemic will show when it is released next week. He called the numbers "frightening" and "scary" and warned that, unless the public follows public health measures, "this is going to continue getting out of control."
"We are in a crisis. It is scary, and we need to work together," he said. "If the average person is not listening, it doesn't matter if we have the best hospitals, the best docs, best system, best anything."
Ontario Public Health reported 26 new deaths on Friday and 4,249 new cases. Of those, 450 were from January 5 and January 6 in the Toronto area. There was a delay in reporting from Toronto Public Health, so those numbers were added to Friday's total.
Ontario Associate Medical Officer of Health Doctor Barbara Yaffe. (Screenshot from YouTube.com)
"Today's numbers, to be frank, they are scary," said Associate Medical Officer of Health Doctor Barbara Yaffe. "We don't want to scare people, but on the other hand, I think there's too much complacency. And, I understand it. We're tired. It's been a long time -- but believe me, although it does tend to affect more older people, it does affect younger people too."
She said the positivity rate among children has risen dramatically since the middle of December.
Yaffe also expressed concern about variants of the virus. So far, there are six confirmed cases of the U.K. variant across Ontario, although she admitted there are likely more cases in the community. She also pointed out a new strain from South Africa has emerged.
Ford also called on Health Canada to approve the Astra-Zeneca vaccine against COVID-19. He said the province injected 15,000 people with the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines on Thursday, but unless there is a new shipment, Ontario will run out of doses by next week.
Vaccine distribution was a large part of the conversation during a virtual First Minister's meeting with the Prime Minister Thursday night.
Ford praised Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for his efforts, but said a more reliable supply of vaccine is desperately needed.
Ontario Education Minister Stephen Lecce. November 2020. (Screenshot of video by Ontario Parliament)
Education Minister Stephen Lecce also detailed for reporters added safety measures when students return to school on January 25.
Right now, asymptomatic testing is being carried out in schools in the Greater Toronto Area and Ottawa. Lecce said that effort will be expanded across Ontario.
He also said the province will spend another $380-million to improve ventilation and HVAC systems in schools and hire more custodians.