SECOND ONTARIO DEATH POINTS TO A LOT MORE: WILLIAMS
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com
TORONTO — Ontario has reported its second death related to COVID-19 — a man in his 50s who died in Oakville.
And why is that important?
And why is social distancing so critical?
Because — officials say it may be a community spread case.
Dr. David Williams, Ontario’s chief medical officer and one of the most calm and reliable sources of information, said Thursday afternoon the death is a sign a lot more people will come down with the corona virus in the weeks ahead.
Indeed, 45 new cases were reported today in Ontario’s daily update; with 22 confirmed cases in hospital at latest count mid-afternoon March 19.
Ontario has more than 800 confirmed cases.
Williams said that with more Canadians returning home on the weekend from abroad the numbers may rise.
“You do the math,” he said.
This despite the fact that most will self-isolate.
He said with an incubation period of seven to nine days, it may take over a week for people observe symptoms of cornoavirus.
That means, he said, that it will get a lot worse before it gets better.
Williams said “it will go up, but hopefully not by a huge number.”
He is “confident in our (health) system and in the people” to deal and cope with the outbreak.
MORE:
- Italy has sustain 3,405 deaths – surpassing the number reported in China.
- Longterm estimates are that COVID-19 could last months – one unconfirmed estimate out of the U.S. claims it could last 18 months into late 2021.
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