Ontario advisers call for a six-week stay-home order, targeted vaccination plan

The Ontario COVID-19 Science Advisory Table says a six-week stay-at-home order and a vaccination rate of at least 100,000 doses a day is the only way to flatten the COVID-19 curve in the province.

In modelling released Friday, they say daily infections could approach 20,000 cases per day if strong measures aren’t imposed.

They say high case rates will go on into the summer without stronger measures and more support for essential workers and high-risk communities.

Data indicates Ontario’s COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are at their highest levels since the pandemic began.

READ MORE: Ontario reports 4,812 COVID-19 cases and 25 deaths as new restrictions expected

The group says vaccines are not reaching high-risk people fast enough to overcome serious illness seen in hospitals.

.@chchtv @CHCHNews THINGS THAT WILL HELP

– Doubling down vaccination into highest risk communities
– Workplaces need to become safe
a) list of what has to be open has to be small as possible
b) those left open need to be safer
– More benefits for paid sick leave needed

— Phil Perkins (@PhilPerkinsCHCH) April 16, 2021

Ontario reported a record 1,955 COVID-19 patients in hospitals across the province, while ICU patients are at 701.

The provincial government has asked other provinces to send nurses and health workers.