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WATCH: Province set to redeploy health care workers from different sectors to support long-term care homes

Long-term care homes quickly becoming the front line in the fight against COVID-19 says Ford
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Premier Doug Ford. (YouTube.com/PremierofOntario

Ontario Premier Doug Ford says that he will spare no expense when it comes to protecting staff and residents at long-term care home around the province.

Speaking at his daily press conference Tuesday, Ford described COVID-19 as a wildfire at long-term care homes and that they were quickly turning into the front line of the fight.

"My top priority right now is getting the troops and the resources needed to this front," said Ford. "We're going through everything we have at our long-term care homes and tomorrow we will launch an enhanced action plan to fight COVID-19 in long-term care homes."

The plan will include added support and resources, as well as redeploying frontline healthcare workers from hospitals, as they have not seen the surge in COVID-19 cases that they were bracing for.

"We must redeploy every available resource to our long-term care homes right now, it is absolutely critical," said Ford.

"Thanks to our collective efforts, we've not seen the surge in our hospitals that we were so worried about. As a result, we have capacity within the health sector and I want available resources from our health system redeployed to those homes when there is a serious outbreak."

The province will be announcing a new emergency order this evening that ensures every employee in Ontario's long-term care homes are only allowed to work at one home.

"I want to thank the sector for helping us get to this point," said Ford. "Issuing this order today is only possible because we now have the staffing resources we need in place."

Watch the full press conference below.


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