Ontario Opens COVID-19 Isolation Centres in Hardest Hit Communities

The Ontario government is announcing today that COVID-19 isolation centres are opening this week in Oshawa and Brampton and two isolation centres serving the City of Toronto are expanding. These new centres and expansions are in addition to existing centres in the City of Ottawa, and the regions of Peel and Waterloo.

This is part of the province’s investment of up to $42 million under the High Priority Communities Strategy to help people in some of the hardest hit neighborhoods self-isolate and keep their families and communities safe. All new and expanded centers are expected to be open by the end of January 2021.

“We know that some communities have been more affected by COVID-19 than others, and many people face barriers to finding a safe place to self-isolate in order to keep their families and communities safe,” said Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. “Isolation centres will provide these people with the supports they need while they are self-isolating.”

COVID-19 isolation centres provide a range of wraparound supports and services, including meals, security, transportation, and links to health and social services. In the coming weeks, Ontario will help create up to 1,525 additional beds for safe isolation with 125 beds in Durham, up to 840 beds in Peel, up to 280 beds in Toronto and up to 280 beds in York.

Ontario’s High Priority Communities Strategy includes community outreach and increased testing, plus connecting individuals to needed supports, including isolation centres. To date, more than 160 Community Ambassadors have been engaged and over 225 more will be hired to deliver targeted outreach and messages to community members in multiple languages.

Working with local partners, 30 testing sites have been opened and thousands of PPE kits have been shipped to community agencies. Municipalities will also work with public health officials and community health agencies to connect those affected by COVID-19 with isolation centres.

“Our government is taking action to help stop the spread of COVID-19 in our most vulnerable communities,” said Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “We continue to work with Ontario Health, public health units, municipalities, and our community partners to deliver targeted and key interventions that our province’s hardest-hit neighbourhoods need.”

The province will continue to work with Ontario Health and Public Health Units to monitor public health trends and engage with local authorities and health experts to assess the need for further supports.

Quick Facts

• Effective Thursday, January 14, 2021 at 12:01 a.m., a stay-at-home order is in effect. Ontarians are required to remain at home except for essential purposes such as food, health care, exercise, or work. Stay home, stay safe, save lives.
• Over 253,000 vaccine doses have been administered across the province, including over 73,000 doses administered to long-term care staff and retirement home staff, over 104,000 doses administered to health care workers and over 57,000 doses administered to long-term care and retirement home residents.
• Get tested if you have symptoms compatible with COVID-19, or if you have been advised of exposure by your local public health unit or through the COVID Alert App. Visit Ontario.ca/covidtest to find your nearest testing location.
• To download the COVID Alert App for free, please visit the Apple and Google Play app stores.

Additional Resources

• Ontario supporting High Priority Communities.
• See how your organization can help fight COVID-19.
• Visit Ontario’s website to learn more about how the province continues to protect the people of Ontario from COVID-19.

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