ontario 'Alarm bells are ringing louder' as Ontario sees record-high 797 new COVID-19 cases: top doctor Ontario's labs processed nearly 48,500 tests as province pushes toward 50,000 target t a news conference Thursday, Dr. David Williams, the province's chief medical officer of health, told reporters there was growing cause for concern over the rise in novel coronavirus cases and to "stay tuned" about possible new public health measures as cases rise and positivity rates go up. What those additional public health measures might look like and when they could take effect, Williams wouldn't say. "When the time is right, I'm sure the minister and premier will be forthcoming," he said. Asked specifically if he's recommended closing indoor dining, Williams didn't answer directly, saying only that he had made recommendations from the province's public health table, which are "up to cabinet for their consideration." With the Thanksgiving long weekend approaching, Williams focused on the need for Ontarians to take the advice of public health officials seriously: avoiding gatherings, observing physical distancing and mask wearing. The average age associated with COVID-19 outbreaks is growing younger, but the novel coronavirus is also spiking again in vulnerable populations, he said.

runaway Ontario faces 'runaway train' of COVID-19 cases if families don't scrap Thanksgiving gatherings, doctor warns Experts, officials warn holiday gatherings could fuel transmission as COVID-19 cases already spiking Ontario could be "on the brink of disaster," a Toronto epidemiologist said Wednesday, as officials continued to urge families to scrap Thanksgiving gatherings amid soaring COVID-19 cases. This week, the province — and public health officials in the hot zones of Toronto and Ottawa — stressed the safest way to celebrate is with only members of your own household. Should Ontarians not heed those warnings, some weekend gatherings could become superspreading events once infected attendees return to their homes, schools and workplaces, said Dr. Jeff Kwong, a professor of family medicine and public health at the University of Toronto. "It's not just about this one transmission event; it's the onward transmission," he said. "Ten people gathering, say four or five get infected, then they go on to their social circles and infect another five or 10, and so on."