Canada

Models show possible peak of COVID transmission in Ontario, but future trends are uncertain


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TORONTO – Ontario pandemic expert advisers say wastewater signals suggest that COVID-19 transmission in the province may have peaked, but it is unclear where the trend is heading.

The Ontario COVID-19 Scientific Advisory Table shared its latest modeling of the disease on Thursday.

The expert group says it is unclear whether the apparent peak in the cases during the sixth wave will be followed by an increase, decrease or continued plateau after the long weekend.

Modeling suggests that hospitalizations and intensive care admissions will continue to rise, but are unlikely to reach levels seen earlier this year during the fifth wave of the pandemic.

The group says COVID-19 infections among healthcare workers are as high as they were during the Omicron wave, and that, combined with the growing number of hospitalizations, could affect healthcare capacity.

Health Minister Christine Elliott says the latest modeling of hospital and intensive care employment shows that Ontario can manage the current wave of infections without returning public health measures.

This report from The Canadian Press was first published on April 14, 2022.