'The numbers certainly justify it,' Doctor supports Ontario's early reopening plans
Daily COVID-19 case counts continue to drop to numbers not seen in several months, prompting the past president of the Ontario Medical Association (OMA) to support the province's decision to enter its first phase of reopening on Friday, three days earlier than expected.
"The numbers certainly justify it," says OMA past president Dr. Sohail Gandhi.
The OMA former president says the number of COVID-19-positive patients in intensive care has had a "significant decline" to under 500.
Gandhi adds that of those 500 patients, 30 are from Manitoba, "because we're in a position now where we can help other provinces who are struggling more than we are."
As the province slowly reopens, the doctors' main concerns are focussed primarily on the other impacts of the pandemic.
Gandhi believes more "forward-thinking" is needed, and the focus should pivot towards mental health and the struggling small businesses.
"Now is the time to be proactive," he says. "We really need to put a focus on the health of our small businesses, which are the engines of the Canadian economy because if our economy is good, then we can provide better healthcare to the population."
Starting Friday, the province will allow non-essential businesses to reopen with a capacity limit on customers.
The complete list of what will be permitted in Step 1 of Ontario's Roadmap to Reopening is available here.
Public health in Simcoe Muskoka health unit logged 54 new COVID-19 cases over the weekend.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Iran fires at apparent Israeli attack drones near Isfahan air base and nuclear site
An apparent Israeli drone attack on Iran saw troops fire air defences at a major air base and a nuclear site early Friday morning near the central city of Isfahan, an assault coming in retaliation for Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on the country.
NEW After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Ontario woman loses $15,000 to fake Walmart job scam
A woman who recently moved to Canada from India was searching for a job when she got caught in an online job scam and lost $15,000.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Ottawa to force banks to call carbon rebate a carbon rebate in direct deposits
Canadian banks that refuse to identify the carbon rebate by name when doing direct deposits are forcing the government to change the law to make them do it, says Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault.
DEVELOPING Israel targets air defence system in Syria, state news agency says
Israel carried out a missile strike targeting an air defence unit in southern Syria, causing material damage, state-run SANA news agency quoted a military statement as saying Friday.
Some Canadian families will receive up to $620 per child today
More money will land in the pockets of some Canadian families on Friday for the latest Canada Child Benefit installment.