New COVID-19 modelling coming next week will be ‘wake up call:’ Ford

Premier Doug Ford said the province will release new COVID-19 modelling numbers early next week that will be a “wake-up call” to Ontarians.

Ford offered an ominous hint about the new modelling that’s expected to be released on Monday or Tuesday.

“When you see the modelling you will fall off your chair,” he said. “They are actually scary numbers, this is crunch time right now.”

Ford urged the public to avoid get-togethers and to stay home as much as possible to try and stem the rapidly-spreading virus.

“This is going to get out of hand” if people don’t follow public health advice, he warned. “This is the most serious situation we’ve been in since the beginning of the pandemic.”

Ontario has seen record-setting daily case counts over the last several days, with a staggering 4,249 new COVID-19 cases confirmed on Friday. That number included an additional 450 cases from a Toronto Public Health data delay.

“We are in a crisis,” Ford added “That’s how I can describe it, it is scary and we need to work together.”

Ford also warned that Ontario’s vaccine supply is running low, and he pleaded with the federal government for help getting more.

The premier said Ontario hospitals are “quickly running out” of vaccines, noting that the Pfizer vaccine will be depleted by the end of the week.

“The Prime Minister is working his back off, he’s trying his very best, he really is (but) we are in desperate need of the vaccine here.”

Ford urged Health Canada to approve the AstraZeneca vaccine that’s received the green light in other parts of the world.

Story by Michael Talbot – CityNews