Premier Ford provides a COVID-19 update | May 4

well good afternoon we're moving in the right direction and we need to keep going and we can't stop now we must stay strong our hospitals have capacity our team is stockpiling PPE and our testing strategy has allowed us to stay ahead of this virus because the sooner we can detect coulvet 19 the sooner we can stop the spread and protect others from the infection a few weeks ago on April the 10th I stood at this podium and promise you that we were going to ramp up our testing we set a target of 16, 000 tests per day by May the 6th and thanks to our incredible team thanks to the hard-working folks in our health system we beat that target in just over 20 days later by May the 1st we hit 17, 000 tests a day the good news is were leading the country in daily testing volumes both in total test and per capita over three hundred and forty two thousand tests have been completed in Ontario to date these gains are significant but we still have a lot of work to do we will not rest on our laurels that's why we remain laser focused on ensuring we're testing our most vulnerable we rapidly increased testing in our long-term care homes we're testing those in group homes homeless shelters woman shelters and other congregate settings and as the key trends head in the right direction in the Health System continue to be strengthened it gives us confidence it gives us the confidence that we can adopt it gives us the confidence that we can reopen more places safely knowing our health professionals have our backs it gives us the confidence that we're getting close to opening parks that we're getting close to opening retail for curbside pickup it gives us the confidence that we're on the right track that collectively as a province we're doing the right things and we're taking the right steps that we're beating this terrible terrible virus and it tells us that we can't stop now we need to continue looking out for each other we need to keep taking the health advice seriously we need to stay vigilant and if we do if we stay the course we will defeat this virus we can and we will thank you and god bless the people of Ontario I'll pass it over deputy premier thank you thank you premier and good afternoon everyone when we first announced kovat 19 testing targets 4000 tests were being conducted per day on Thursday April 30th we reached well over 16, 000 tests in a day nearly a week ahead of our target for 16, 000 tests per day by May 6 we did so by forming a province-wide Kovach 19 testing network that includes over 20 organizations this has allowed us to eliminate the backlog of 11, 000 tests and then turn our focus to testing priority groups and vulnerable populations including every resident and staff member in a long-term care home indeed expanding testing is critical to containing and limiting the spread of this new virus both in our communities and in long-term care homes and other shared living spaces we are now a leader in Canada in daily testing per capita and ranked among the top globally still we continue to invest in further expanding our Kovach 19 testing our strategy is focused on maximizing testing capacity by working as an integrated lab testing network across the province this is being achieved through daily check-ins and processes designed to address the need for applies test turnaround times alternative approaches to processing and emerging technology the integration of our laboratory network will serve as an enduring legacy once this outbreak is over and a great example of how we can strengthen our health care system through integration to better serve and protect the people of Ontario thank you phone line for questions just a reminder one question one follow-up first question first question comes from Martin reg Cohen from the Toronto Star please go ahead hello my question is for the premier you talked a lot about the impact of the pandemic on our nursing homes and how you want to fix it what's your personal view about the ownership of nursing homes is there a difference is there a difference between private ownership and public ownership in terms of the outcomes well I think there's a difference but what I said right from day one Martin the system's broke and where we are gonna fix it but if you don't mind Martin I'm gonna pass it over to the minister of long-term care thank you so you know our ministry that was dedicated to long-term care started in the summer and one of the first things we looked at was capacity issues in long-term care staffing issues in long-term care many of these issues have been decades in the making and this sector was neglected for decades we look across the board we see a different homes being affected in many different ways but obviously it's staffing that is a crisis right now and this is not specific to any particular type of home but we know that we need to move forward with a plan coming from this once we are done focusing on the the the crises we have at hand thank you for your question my follow-up is for the premier you've mentioned a lot of CEOs that you've talked to over the last few weeks of this pandemic have you also spoken to Mike Harris in his capacity as chair of Chartwell homes and if so what did you learn from him what did you say to him and if you have not yet will you reach out to him and either way whether you spoken to him or not what would be your message to him and to other operators private or public in this pen denikin going forward what what are they telling you and what are you telling them mr.

Harris in particular well I think one call six weeks from former premier Harris Costello is doing and be frank I didn't even know he was the chair of Chartwell but we're gonna have that opportunity to sit down and fix these issues right right across the board but he basically the conversation lasted a couple minutes how's your family doing how's yours and that was about it next question next question comes from Haley Cooper from News Talk 10:10 just go ahead my first question is for either you premier Ford or Health Minister Christine Elliot we want to know if the province is considered or is it already in the works at certain hospitals in larger to medium sized cities where there's multiple hospitals could some of those cost be designated for kovat 19 patients and therefore the the hospitals that won't be treating Kovac 19 patients could possibly be opened up to begin safely doing elective surgeries well you're pretty bang on there but I'm gonna pass this over the Minister of Health Thanks yes thank you for the question it is something that we are taking a look at as we develop our plan to open up elective procedures for cardiac cancer surgeries and other orthopedic surgeries that is one of these suggestions that we have a kovat free Hospital so that they there's one that will deal with the kovat patients one that will deal more with the elective surgeries but it's dependent on that and a number of other factors as well how these hospitals will be able to open up because among other things they will need to have the staff some of the staffs as you know staff members have gone to assist in long-term care homes right now they also need to have a their own supply of personal protective equipment so that they can conduct these surgeries in addition to the the drugs and other medications they need in order to be able to conduct the surgeries so that is one of the elements having a kovat free Hospital is an idea but there's a lot of other issues that have to come forward but we are finalizing a plan we hope to have it to present to all of you very shortly because we do know there are so many people that are very anxious about having their surgery particularly for serious issues like a cancer and cardiac issues so we are dealing with that and as I said we hope to have information more detailed information for you very soon thank you and my follow-up question is for the premier we've been focused so much on what businesses can reopen and went but people really want to know when they can safely hug a loved one like their parents or siblings you know when can they invite maybe a small group of friends over to celebrate birthdays and anniversaries and other milestones so are we any closer to getting answer on that well I think we're getting closer right across the the province the numbers are coming down Haley and I think the opportunity will come hopefully sooner than later again Haley if I knew the exact date honestly I'd be telling you in 10 seconds up here but none of us really know the exact date let's continue working hard all together as a province and we have being and those numbers are showing the results of that the sooner we can have some loved ones over you're right give them a hug then then we're gonna get we're gonna get that moving as quickly as possible so let's just keep working on reducing the numbers and the quicker we do that the quicker we'll be able to have some loved ones over or maybe a barbecue or so next question next question comes from Albert della kala from at global news please go ahead oh my a question is for the premier what happens to parents money if a day school such as one that we're investigating the GTA declares bankruptcy under the emergency order well that's a very good question and Albert if you don't mind all I'll ask our Minister that but we we did make sure that we had the parents stop paying they wouldn't lose their spot that was a big issue at one point they were they were paying daycare and the the kids weren't going to daycare so we were able to secure that and also secure their their spot in daycare but it's a good good question hopefully hopefully we won't have too many daycare facilities going under but I will get back to you on that over thank you thank you next question next question comes from Randy Roth from CHCH TV please go ahead I hope we've been hearing from green house and nursery operators and they're complaining that they are playing on a level playing field with on guidance under stuff sorry Randy you're very muffled store or or a similar store like that that in those in those stories that knows boots bomb guiding centers they can go in and pick up their own plants but it's only curbside and delivery guy designers better stand alone job come on open bottle more with social yeah you don't some Randi again I think your your being on I think I thought it was unfair to the reason some of the big box stores were able to open up they had pharmacies and food in it but they had other items in there and do I agree it's unfair yeah I agree and the aisles were a little wider in the big stores but in saying that stay tuned Randy we're gonna have some good news for these folks this week so we're gonna get moving on that most question was on the weekend we did a story down in the hall of the North Pole about people not being allowed to go to their cottages along the shore of Lake Erie lot of crops of health in that area I said you know no no people from outside can go to their cottages and and and the people that go to his product is just go they they just want to go take their own food not interact with anybody and just leave and the chief medical officer helped when I asked him last week said that he doesn't really see a problem in math and I'm just wondering if those people can't go to their cottages should they be able to get their talks it's back on those products this year well you're nailing all the questions are Randy today because I agree with you I had a conversation was one of the mayors of Muskoka I've asked to get on a conference call with all the the mayor's in cottage country and we we did the right thing we're continuing to do the right thing make sure that we social distance and self isolate when we can but as we see the numbers come down and by May the 24th hopefully the numbers are going to continue coming down we're gonna have a heart-to-heart conversation this week with the mayor's there's only so long you can you hold back taxpayers from going to their their their cottages I'll give you an example in Muskoka Muskoka the vast majority of taxes are paid through cottages Cottagers and you know and the economy up there when I was speaking of the mayor people rely the retail stores and the cottage country rely on Cottagers from beginning of May probably April all the way through to September that's their livelihood so if people are responsible the numbers continue to go down we'll have that conversation so if you follow up by the end of the week and I think it's Wednesday or Thursday we're having a a conference phone conference and I'll get their input and I understand what they're saying but if if people go up to their cottage bring their own food don't go to the stores stay at their cottage by May the 24th there's only so long I can hold the big gates back from from these people they're gonna want to go to their vacation property I understand and I think we've made the right decision about the Cottagers but as we see the numbers go down well let's just see what happens but I'm gonna have that a wholesome conversation with all the the mayor's in the next couple days and we'll see where we go from there next question next question comes from Laura stone from The Globe and Mail please go ahead hi there my question is for Minister Fullerton Minister it's my understanding that there are still about a dozen high priority long-term care homes that have not yet received extra help from hospitals extra staff as well as more than a hundred homes in a so-called yellow zone that also need help so why has it taken so long and when are these high priority homes going to get the help they need well we're tracking this very carefully and monitoring the homes were in regular contact with the homes to assess their staffing situation on the PPEs and as I mentioned before the staffing crisis was pre-existing before the pandemic hit and so we clearly understand that the dire situation that our most needy homes are in and we're making sure resources are getting to those homes well we monitor the other so whether this comes through haut hospitals or home care or the military assistance which we're all very grateful for but we're making sure we get PPE to our homes within 24 hours if they need it we're making sure that we have staffing that's adequate and making sure the standards of care are held looking at everything possible on the table to support all of our homes as we get through this crisis but why are there still 10 homes that are in a high priority zone that have not received anything and also why aren't you revealing which names and the provost needs the most help why can't you tell the public and a family member that their home is among them well what we have is we've been very transparent we have a list that's publicly available so that people can see the status of the homes and we're making sure that the homes that are identified as urgent need are getting the help that they need this is an ongoing effort we're working across the board to make sure our homes get the support they need and 24 hours a day we have a command table that has priority aspects to it so making sure that those regional tables get the support to our homes that need it there's a complete structure that is coordinated to getting that help out to our homes and we've been very transparent about the numbers we've been very transparent about the homes we've been transparent about the homes needing military assistance and I believe that that is the approach that's necessary transparency and we'll do everything possible to make sure those homes get the support that they need next question next question comes from a Colin D'Mello from CTV News just go ahead hi there good afternoon my question is for the premiere premiere another provinces and some businesses feel a bit hesitant to open because right now they don't have the proper PPE available last week you had mention of the province wood try to help businesses that need help finding the proper protective equipment for their employees do you have any more clarity on exactly how the province will help businesses find PPE well it's just on the on the phone with a couple of large retailers this morning working with the retail Association and other associations within the retail sector and you know they in some cases they have better contacts than the government over overseas on buying goods or some of them are the largest buyers of goods to put into their stores and I mentioned to them that we need to bring in as many PPE items as possible they're telling me they're there okay they can get it in so I'm relying on the retail Association and other large retailers if you have extra Sheridan share it with some of the smaller retailers as well plus we're ramping up on the domestic side on the PBE especially the n95 with Woodbridge and we're going full out on the weekend I went over to a gown and a mask manufacturer here in Toronto to see how they're coming along but it's all hands on deck and as where as every day goes by more and more calls are coming in saying that people want to invest and open up a PPE manufacturing facility so and we also have that fund 250 million dollars to support people that want to open up so we're doing everything we can to make sure we get domestic supply as soon as possible there's an ad a column that goes by I don't talked to four or five six people on being conservative that want to open up in the and the big the big players that don't have a facility here folk too one of the big big companies this morning and I said you got to start manufacturing here in Ontario or Canada somewhere he can't be shipping it in from the US you know these days are going to be over we're gonna start relying on our ourselves rather than relying on these foreign countries foreign governments that when you know all heck breaks loose they close the borders and say you're not getting any more Goods we're all over this and we've ramped up with a couple disinfectant white companies as well that are ramping up as well so we're getting there but we're moving as quickly as we can next question okay and oh sorry thank you for thank you and premier just on education you know today was supposed to be the day that students were heading back to class obviously that's being pushed back until next month at the at the earliest if possible I'm just curious about distance learning for students um you have young children in your extended family what have you been hearing about how well distance learning is working right now because some teachers say it's quite difficult to actually educate students virtually yeah I think the the older kids kids in high school and probably middle school they they understand it the the younger kids it's the five and six year olds telling them they can't delay with little Susie or Johnny it doesn't it doesn't really sink in so that's something we really have to focus on and and especially if that the decision is made and the decision has not been made if the kids are going to go back in in June sometime but a very good point call me we really have to monitor it but I I think the high school kids they they get it matter of fact I know they get it and I think the other kids are great six seven and eight they get it as well next question next question comes from Cynthia Milliken from City TV please go ahead I premiers with you today you dip your toe into opening up the cup of the economy ever so slightly but I'm curious why random community testing has not started when experts say that it needs to begin before the economy opens so that a proper baseline is created why haven't why hasn't the government started that well I had that conversation with the some of the folks on the health table today and it is being started our main crisis was obviously long-term care retirement homes congregate living locations so we want to put all the resources there first but moving forward we're going to be doing that also I know you didn't ask this question but I'm gonna I'm gonna mention in anyways had a conversation with a deputy probably Minister today I'm going to follow up with the the Premier's we have another premiers meeting I believe it's on Thursday we need a national plan for contact tracing and it's it's you know right now each individual province is doing it but we need a national plan work with the federal government and all all all the provinces the the ten provinces and the three territories it's absolutely critical moving forward for many reasons especially not to mention research as well thank you and for follow-up some provinces are doing are creating family bubbles where they can merge together and you know go see a grandparent for example would that be a next step in Ontario if the numbers continue going down let's just see I just I just don't want to answer right right now this early maybe if you ask me this next week we'll see some even better results than what we've already well we've already seen next question next question comes from at least phishing from CBC please go ahead hi there Premier I look with some PS abused in long-term care homes who contracted Kovac 19 after taking care of infected residents with just a surgical mask they say they want the option of an n95 mask and there is some evidence out there that points to the possibility Kovach 19 can be spread via airborne particles so why not take all possible precautions and give health care workers the option of an n95 mask as the research is coming in well I agree but let me pass this orders administer a long term care thank you so first of all I want to acknowledge all of our frontline the personal support workers who are so dedicated and compassionate every single day and how much I appreciate it looking at the PSW and the peep-peep EES understanding the chief medical officer of health gives directives in terms of the required PPE surgical masks are what is required for kovat 19 according to the chief medical officer of Health of course evidence is always evolving and the scientific literature is being vetted by by our public health officials public health Ontario and dr.

David Williams and so this is something that that will be have to be ongoing in terms of understanding the spread of Koba 19 Thank You Anne my next question is for the premier we've spoken to some business owners who say they were caught off guard by Friday's announcement about opening up and they would have appreciated more time to get the PPE and implement the appropriate safety protocols we've also heard from garden centers that say it's too late for a lot of their flowers and plants that are going to waste so my question kind of double-barreled when did the province inform these businesses of the plans to reopen and couldn't places like garden centers have been opened this entire time with physical distancing measures in place like grocery stores well with with anything we talk to the the Ministry of Health we talked to the health table talked to the Minister of Labour we talked to the stakeholders the the business sector that they're involved in and we get their input now there's never never a decision that one person makes about I don't make a decision by myself I always always consult with people we we try to give them a few days but all those businesses were all seasonal businesses outdoor you know gardening and landscaping or other areas even the rain is – so they're they haven't than a you know a huge issue that I've heard on the retail side because we really haven't opened up the small retail stores yet but when when we make that announcement I give it a message right now retail start start prepping you no matter if it's three weeks four weeks two weeks whenever it is start prepping getting getting masks ready so there's the there's the morning right now it's it's coming it's inevitable the numbers keep going down we're gonna get the economy going based on health and science I got to keep emphasizing that just because we open up these stores it doesn't mean it's a it's a free-for-all we still have to follow the protocol the chief medical officer and we're gonna continue making sure that we take those measures last question last question comes from Russia under say me from privacy media group please go ahead good afternoon premier designee from Posse premier ethnic media outlets in Ontario and all over country I think very vital role to to inform their communities a hundred and thousands of people whose first language is in neither English nor French but these businesses businesses are struggling at the moment premier they are not able to print their newspapers they're not able to broadcast the radio shows because they don't have any ad revenue which is the only source of their income so having a small size operations most of their staff is not on payroll like paper distribution or sales so they are not eligible for $40, 000 alone from the federal comment and not for 75% wages benefit so they are really struggling any help they can expect from the government well very very good point and right as soon as we put out the advertising budget my first comment out of my mouth was we're making sure that the ethnic media gets a piece of the pie to keep them going I want to thank not just the ethnic media but media in general you've been absolutely incredible getting the message out we've all worked together and I just want to thank the media for doing that but maybe what we can do is follow up on a call because right from the get-go everyone should get an equal piece of the pie per se and I emphasize to make sure the ethnic media ended up getting some funding for advertising about covet I will follow up on that my follow-up question is regarding emergency rental assistance and also by the prime minister I have three questions the first question is that PMI which is very substantial part of the gross rent is that included in this rent in this assistance and number two most of the landlords are not willing to take that forgivable loan and put their 25% share so that is why most of their you know businesses they have got already notice what would I understand I'll confirm this with the finance minister it's all inclusive it wasn't before now it is so just to break it down the landlord would pick up 25% the tenant would take 25% and the federal and provincial governments would pay the the 50% and it's over a nine hundred million dollar plan and hopefully they can work through this but if we continue if we continue seeing the downward slope hopefully we won't be in this position over the next few weeks as long as we get approval from the chief medical officer our health team and our Minister of Labour I just want to keep emphasizing that because I just don't want people thinking we're gonna open up and you know we're all free to do what we want was just not going to be that way for a while but hopefully we'll be able to get these stores opened up sooner than later thank you thank you everyone thank you you.