Dr. Eileen de Villa, Toronto’s public health chief, taking leave of absence for medical treatment, is now the province of Ontario’s chief medical officer of health.
De Villa served as the chief medical officer of health in Ontario when the province was beset by an outbreak of the novel coronavirus and the death of Dr. Jesse Kollins, the public health commissioner who was the country’s top public health official.
The first coronavirus death in Toronto was on March 5 and it is only March 31 that Toronto Public Health officially upgraded the infection to a public health emergency.
Premier Doug Ford said Monday, according to the Toronto Star, the province will begin testing people from next week.
“The federal government has committed to the maximum number of testing platforms, and we will have more than 100,000 tests by next week. We still need more resources from the federal government.”
In an email to media Tuesday, Ford said those who are sick with the virus should not have to wait long for tests.
“I want people to know that we need more tests. There’s thousands more to come,” he said.
The Premier also said he is not considering a mass quarantine or lock down of the city, as some other cities have done.
He also said Toronto is “still testing. We’re doing testing every day.” He didn’t provide specifics and there is no indication when testing will be completed.
“I have been in contact with Toronto Public Health. They have said that they are still testing people, and they are also testing people in other parts of the province. They are continuing to do testing, they are continuing to look (to find) more test kits,” said Ford, who was in Toronto on Tuesday to make the announcement.
“I have also been in touch with Dr. Eileen de Villa, she has also said that she is currently being treated for a serious illness at a hospital in Toronto. She is being treated for Hepatitis C.”
Toronto Mayor John Tory also spoke about the city’s plans
