Rising COVID-19 positivity rates in young people, Tory, de Villa warn

By Michael Ranger

Toronto’s top doctor and mayor are growing concerned about a rise in COVID-19 positivity rates among younger people in the city.

The city reported a new daily record of 22 deaths and an increase of 445 new daily cases on Wednesday.

The city’s latest weekly positivity rate now sits at 6.2 per cent, up from 5.9 per cent a week ago.

De Villa says the recent positivity rate figures are noticeably higher in two age categories. People between the ages of 14 and 17, and people between the ages of 18 and 23.

With the rates surging among the younger population, Mayor John Tory is appealing to two groups to take initiative and help fight the spread of the virus. Tory says that parents and employers need to be proactive in their response to the second wave.

RELATED: Ontario reporting higher number of resolved COVID-19 cases than new infections

Tory says parents should be reminding children that they should be going directly home after school and avoiding spending time at friends houses.

“We are seeing increasing test positivity in young people, really young people. We are working to speak directly to them on platforms where they are likely to get their news,” says Tory.

He says employers need to be taking cautionary measures seriously in order to protect workers from the virus. Businesses should continue to encouraging COVID-19 testing and be providing support for any employees who may test positive.

“A positive COVID test should not cost you your job or your paycheck. I urge employers do the right thing and help their employers get through this tough time,” says Tory.

Though cases are rising in young people, the older population continues to attribute to nearly all deaths. 21 of the 22 new deaths in the city are linked to long-term care home outbreaks.

“This reinforces the pressing need for us to limit our exposure to people we don’t live with,” says de Villa. “This is the risk of socializing.”

There are currently 27 outbreaks in long-term care homes, seven in retirement homes and 13 in hospitals.

There are 191 people in the city hospitalized with the virus as of Wednesday.

There have been 36,080 cases and 1,490 deaths in Toronto since the onset of the pandemic. 29,890 people have recovered.

Health officials continue to recommend that people only leave their homes for work, school, exercise or to pick up essentials. All residents are being asked to limit contact to people in their own household.

Top Stories

Top Stories

Most Watched Today