The Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario (ETFO) echoed Tory's recommendation by calling on the government to begin vaccinating education workers and all other essential workers in the hardest-hit regions of the province.
"The consequences of not doing so could include more people sick and dying than we have experienced thus far; so many so, that doctors could no longer care for everyone", said Dr. Samantha Hill, the group's president.
The decision to close schools in the region did not sit well with Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown. Etches tweeted a copy of the letter on Monday.
Health officials reported 3,065 new cases of COVID-19, with a majority of the infections being in Toronto at 955, followed by 561 in Peel Region, and 320 in York Region.
In a Twitter thread, Etches said she is "in the process of reviewing the COVID data in schools to advise on an approach to take for schools in Ottawa".
"I know the tremendous burden this places on families in our region", Dr. Nicola Mercer said in a statement.
Health columnist André Picard answers reader questions about COVID-19 variants, how effective the various vaccines are and the impact of on-again, off-again lockdowns.
But Premier Doug Ford says schools will remain open, because closing them is disastrous for children's mental health.
"We hope to be able to take it to workplaces. where we know there's a higher risk just given all the circumstances, and to other areas where we know people are more vulnerable", Tory said.
On Monday, there were 494 patients being treated in intensive care units across Ontario with a COVID-related critical illness, the government said, an all time high for the province.
In recent months, it has shifted in a descending order through the oldest age groups in the province, with Toronto now starting to give the shot to people 60 years and older at its six mass vaccination sites.
"Our health care system is under pressure and we do not have an infinite number of health care workers".
Review all businesses and services defined by the province as essential with an aim to: identify businesses and services that should be removed from the current list of essential services; identify which services in businesses with a large square footage are essential; and implement staffing limits of not more than 50 per cent for businesses and services deemed by review to be essential.
There are now 1,161 people hospitalized in the province due to COVID-19 with 510 in the ICU.
Ontario is reporting 3,065 new COVID-19 cases and 8 additional deaths on Tuesday.
Ontario reported 2,938 cases and 10 deaths on Monday.
05 April 2021
05 April 2021
05 April 2021
06 April 2021
