Ontario reported another 2,662 cases of COVID-19 and 87 more deaths linked to the illness on Friday, as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government will send two mobile health units to assist in the Greater Toronto Area.
“The spike in COVID-19 cases this month has put a real strain on hospitals,” Trudeau said during a morning news conference.
“For Ontario, in particular, the situation is extremely serious.”
Trudeau said the units will provide up to 200 additional hospital beds as well as medical equipment and supplies, freeing up space in the region’s intensive care units.
In a news release, the federal government said the mobile units are being deployed after a provincial request for assistance, and that they expected to be in the GTA “as rapidly as possible.” They are scheduled to remain available to the provincial government until May 1, depending on the COVID-19 trends in Ontario at that time.
The province will be responsible for staffing the mobile units, the release added.
