Update:
Premier Doug Ford announced today the provincial government will be spending $11.6 million to create up to 766 more beds at 32 hospitals and alternate health facilities across Ontario.
The province says the funding will help reduce surgical backlogs and improve access to care during COVID-19.
The new beds announced today are in addition to the $234.5 million investment for 139 critical care beds and up to 1,349 hospital beds included in Ontario's fall preparedness plan, Keeping Ontarians Safe: Preparing for Future Waves of COVID-19.
This brings the total investment to $351 million for more than 2,250 new beds at 57 hospitals and alternate health facilities across the province.
These beds will add more capacity for hospitals in COVID-19 hotspots such as Toronto, Ottawa, Peel and York region.
It will also help those facing occupancy pressures and support the continuation of surgeries and procedures.
Original story:
Premier Doug Ford is slated to provide a COVID-19 update in Brampton today at 1 p.m.
The announcement comes as COVID-19 cases continue to trend upwards amid a second wave of the virus across the province.
After a record-high weekend of new cases (978 new infections on Saturday and 1,042 on Sunday), the province logged 851 new cases on Monday.
A decision is still to be made on whether or not Halton and Durham regions will join York, Toronto, Peel, and Ottawa in a modified Stage 2.
Ford will be joined by Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, to make the announcement.
Village Media will carry the livestream, so stay tuned.
