Trudeau promises more health care staff, more rapid testing in Ontario to fight the Pandemic

The Ontario Ministry of Health is "grateful for the federal government's assistance." Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he's working with provinces and territories to send more healthcare staff to Ontario and increase accelerated testing to help the country's most populous province get through the COVID-19 pandemic's third wave.

"First, we're mobilizing federal health-care staff across the government to deploy to the front lines staff in Ontario, especially in the area of Greater Toronto, where the situation is most calls for urgent help," Trudeau said in a video shared on Twitter.

"Second, Canadians around the country are not only working carefully in the crisis but are also following necessary steps to help.  Many provinces have successfully managed their health-care capability with their own local circumstances, prior to which they are now able to help others."

Trudeau mentioned that he had met with the premiers of Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, and Nova Scotia to find out how they could assist.

The prime minister said, "They're working hard to figure what human resources and equipment can be freed up in the coming days."

Trudeau stated that Ottawa will cover all expenses associated with the additional assistance and will coordinate the deployment of provincial personnel to the front lines in Ontario, including paying for their air travel.

LeBlanc clarified why other premiers wanted to pool their money at a Sunday news conference following Trudeau's announcement.

The prime minister also committed to boosting the rapid testing of the virus, also pledging to work with municipalities to deploy tests in the province's hot spot areas — and specifically targeting essential workers and their workplaces.

Ontario is currently under the rise in COVID-19 cases where 4,250 new cases were reported on Sunday with 18 more deaths. On Friday, Ontario hit a record high of 4,812 cases, marking it the third day on stretch reporting the highest number.

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