On a day when the COVID-19 pandemic seemed to change everything from Ontarians' travel plans to the availability of toilet paper at their local supermarkets, the provincial government quietly changed its guidance on who should be tested for the novel coronavirus.
People who are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, and who recently travelled outside of the country, are no longer being routinely tested due to a constrained supply of nasal swabs, QP Briefing has confirmed.
"In an effort to maintain capacity and make better use of supply, and in recognition that anyone travelling outside of the country is being asked to self isolate for 14 days, we’re prioritizing those individuals without travel history with symptoms. We expect to return to expanded testing as soon as we’re confident in stable supply," said Travis Kann, communications director for Health Minister Christine Elliott in an email.
The Ministry of Health implemented new guidance for the health sector on COVID-19 testing that calls for testing certain high-risk groups, but excludes those people who have travelled to impacted areas and are exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 — a fever and a cough.
People who fit that description are considered "probable" cases, but testing is no longer recommended. Those who have COVID-19 symptoms, and who are close contacts of someone who is either a confirmed case or is symptomatic and has travelled to an impacted area, are also considered probable cases.
Testing remained recommended for people with symptoms and who are contacts of confirmed cases, as well as people with acute respiratory illnesses who are admitted to hospital, reside in long-term care homes, are health-care workers, or are First Nations community members on reserve, or as part of an investigation into a health-care institutional outbreak.
"Testing outside of these recommendations based on public health and clinical judgement can be made in consultation with local public health officials," the document says. "As this goal is for prioritization of those that are at highest risk, this...decision should be made by exception."
On Friday afternoon, Premier Doug Ford announced the province is considering "additional measures we can take in Ontario to support businesses and workers."
"We need to support the workers affected by this," he said. "Because while a lot of people can work from home, we need to look out for the people working the line or doing shift work, who don’t have that luxury.
"And I want to be crystal clear. Every option is on the table. We will spare no expense to support Ontario families during this difficult time. We will have more to say on next steps in the coming days. But above all, we need to stay calm, be vigilant and stay united as a country."
Ford said he would be meeting with cabinet late in the day.
Meanwhile, the province's plans to establish dedicated assessment centres progressed, with a centre opening in Ottawa at the Brewer arena — but not everyone who presents at those centres will be tested, even if they are considered a probable case.
Meanwhile, all Ontario public servants were instructed to self-isolate "where operationally feasible." Ontario Public Service Employees Union President Warren "Smokey" Thomas said the government should be "commended for leading by example" for the decision.
After days of mixed messages and on the eve of March Break, top public-health officials urged everyone to refrain from all non-essential international travel and families with children who return to Ontario from abroad to self-isolate for 14 days.
Late in the day Toronto's chief medical officer of health instructed all people who have travelled outside the country to self-isolate — which prompted Mayor John Tory to join the ranks of the self-isolating.
Friday saw Prime Minister Justin Trudeau continue to "self-isolate" on the advice of public health officials because his wife, Sophie Grégoire Trudeau, tested positive for COVID-19 late Thursday. She was one of 19 new reported cases in Ontario, bringing the province's total to 79, five of which are considered resolved.
The prime minister spoke with the media outside of his home in Ottawa about the latest developments by his government: restricting the number of airports that receive international flights, preventing cruise ships with over 500 passengers from docking, and putting together an economic relief package that will include direct aid to Canadians who may find themselves in financial need because of the global pandemic.
"We will be supporting the economy and Canadians at this time," said Trudeau.
Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump declared a national emergency.
While some questions remain about how the Ontario and federal governments are responding to the escalating situation, Friday saw the most clear communication to Ontarians concerning travel after several days of uncertainty, during which time families had March Break travel planned and no firm guidance on what they should do.
On Thursday morning Premier Doug Ford's advice to families planning to travel for March Break was to "have a good time" — and he added that the situation could change. At a press conference later that afternoon, Ontario's Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. David Williams advised against international travel and mentioned, in passing, that children would be asked to be kept away from public settings when they return.
He wrote a memo that evening, circulated by Ontario's health ministry at midday the next day that spelled things out more clearly: "As of today, based on my assessment of the clinical risk of COVID-19, I am strongly advising the people of Ontario to avoid all non-essential travel outside of Canada. In light of our recent positive cases in young children, if you decide to travel outside of Canada with children, they will be required to self-isolate for a period of 14 days upon return."
Prior to Thursday, his advice to families was to use their own judgement on whether or not to travel.
Williams said he supports the province's decision, announced Thursday, to close all public schools in Ontario for a period of two weeks following the March Break.
While the ministerial order closing schools did not apply to school-based daycares, some school boards, including the Toronto District School Board, announced the closure of school-based daycares and other activities. Toronto has ordered the closure of all licensed daycares.
Meanwhile, Federal Finance Minister Bill Morneau announced Friday afternoon his government is "preparing a significant stimulus package to be released next week," and that $10 billion will be available to businesses immediately through the Business Development Bank and Export Development Bank. At the same time, Bank of Canada Governor Stephen Poloz announced that the bank is cutting its target for the overnight target rate another 50 basis points to 0.75 per cent to support the economy.
Meanwhile, the House of Commons unanimously suspended its sitting and the planned federal budget date of March 30 has been pushed back, but Morneau said the House has agreed to reconvene to pass emergency legislation if need be.
The announcements came after economists at the Royal Bank and CIBC updated their forecasts to show the country heading for a recession in the coming year, due to both the coronavirus and the low oil prices.
Throughout the day, organizations announced various measures to facilitate the kind of social distances public health professionals are calling for: municipalities closed city buildings and recreation centres, Archbishop of Toronto Thomas Cardinal Collins ordered the cancellation of mass, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce cancelled its plans for an annual general meeting in Timmins, the Stratford Festival cancelled performances from April 11 to May 2, and many universities cancelled in-person classes.
The most important thing a leader can do is keep everyone safe. That’s why in light of COVID-19, and in keeping with @OntLiberal’s most recent announcement, I will not be touring or attending gatherings until further notice #onpoli
— Steven Del Duca (@StevenDelDuca) March 13, 2020
Back at Queen's Park, union leaders who represent 250,000 frontline health-care workers in Ontario and first responders said the provincial government's new guidelines for health-care workers' use for personal protective equipment are insufficient.
The leaders of the Ontario Nurses' Association (ONA), Ontario Council of Hospital Unions (OCHU/CUPE), Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) said they fear the novel coronavirus may be airborne, rather than droplet spread, which requires a lower level of protection.
They said the science isn't settled on the issue and called on the government to issue a directive to mandate the higher level of protection for health-care workers who need it, arguing that if health-care workers become sick the province will be hampered in its COVID-19 response.
"We don't want to fight about this, we just want to apply the precautionary principle until the science is clear," said Vicki McKenna, president of the ONA.
Ontario's guidelines were switched to droplet protect this week, after criticism that recommendations concerning airborne protection were unnecessary and a wasteful use of resources.
Ontario NDP Leader Andrea Horwath held a press conference at Queen's Park at which she announced her party's willingness to work with the Progressive Conservative government to address several outstanding questions related to COVID-19 and reconvene the legislature to pass emergency legislation, if necessary.
Her concerns included securing compensation for waged workers who miss work to stay home with their children during the school closures, ensuring workers cannot be fired or disciplined for missing work at this time, making provisions for child care for the children of health-care workers who will be needed at work, providing economic supports to small and medium-sized businesses and providing support to Ontarians that are at risk of falling behind on their rents or mortgages due to the economic fallout of the virus.
The premier's office didn't respond to questions about Horwath's comments by deadline.
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