The province is investing $116.5 million to create more hospital beds.
Premier Doug Ford says they’re adding over 750 beds, continuing to beef up the healthcare system during the second wave.
“As we did during the first wave and during the summer, we are continuing to build surge capacity,” says Ford. “We have allowed hospitals to construct temporary facilities on-site to prepare for any scenario. We have allowed them to open beds in temporary facilities in communities, including hotels and recreation centres.”
The province indicates most of the beds will be in COVID-19 hotspots like Toronto, Peel and Brampton.
It’s not clear if any will be for hospitals in northwestern Ontario.
Health Minister Christine Elliott says it’s a crucial part of responding to the second wave.
“It is very important for us to make sure that hospitals do have additional capacity for our COVID-19 patients, for our flu patients and also for people that need the surgeries and procedures that we had to postpone during the first wave. That is why today’s announcement is so important,” Elliott explains.
The province says this is part of their Fall Preparedness Plan.
