Premier to hold “emergency meeting” with health officials, hospital leaders

Premier Doug Ford will hold an emergency meeting with health officials to tackle rising hospitalizations from COVID-19.

Ford says the 1 p.m. meeting with the province’s health minister, chief medical officer of health and hospital leaders will concern next steps to break the trend.

On Thursday, the province reported 919 people hospitalized with COVID-19, including 263 in intensive care and 172 on ventilators.

Ontario reports 2,432 cases of COVID-19, 23 deaths

The meeting follows calls from the Ontario Hospital Association for the government to implement lockdowns in more public health units, and to consider stronger measures.

The province is considering new measures but Ford has offered few details about what those might be.

I’m convening an emergency meeting today with Minister Elliott, Dr. Williams and Ontario’s hospital leaders to discuss next steps to break the concerning trends in cases and hospitals in our province. Everything is on the table when it comes to protecting the health of Ontarians. pic.twitter.com/1upuB6prAQ

— Doug Ford (@fordnation) December 18, 2020

Meanwhile, the province will announce if any regions will be moving to different categories of the province’s colour-coded COVID-19 restrictions Friday afternoon.