More pain ahead

National Post:

The COVID-19 modelling released by Ontario officials on Friday shows a best-case scenario where thousands more deaths can be prevented, but it means implementing even further distancing measures than what’s already in place.

This includes closing more businesses, keeping a so-called “ring of steel” around vulnerable centres such as long-term care homes, and making increased use of technology such as cell phone alerts.

It also requires building up a “small army” of staff to do contact tracing, the resource-intensive work of tracking down all the recent contacts of someone who’s tested positive for the virus.

“We need to bear down heavily on this disease now, because it will save lives,” said Peter Donnelly, president and CEO of Ontario Public Health. “It will allow our healthcare system to cope. And ultimately, it will be the best way to help our economy bounce back.”