Region of Peel to receive funding for COVID-19 isolation centre

Weeks after public health officials raised concerns about household spread, the Region of Peel (Brampton, Mississauga and Caledon) is finally getting an isolation centre for COVID-19 patients who cannot recover at home.

The announcement regarding the centre comes at a time when new cases are skyrocketing in Peel, putting pressure on the region’s hospitals.

At recent press conferences, Dr. Lawrence Loh, Medical Officer of Health, Region of Peel, expressed his concerns regarding hospital capacity amid the second wave of COVID-19.

“As the second wave continues, we’re starting to see not only our local hospitals at risk of being overwhelmed as they navigate this surge of COVID-19 patients, but also the regular volume of care as they start the flu season,” said Loh.

“Peel Public Health is receiving contact tracing support from across the province and our hospitals are transferring patients all over Ontario. That means that our public health and health care system in Peel is at capacity; beyond capacity,” he said, adding that additional action must be taken to get COVID-19 “under control.”

Loh has been sounding the alarm for some time now, warning that Peel, which has recorded a significant number of workplace and household outbreaks, was not ready to leave “Stage 2 lite.”

Crombie and Loh said the COVID-19 isolation centre will cater to people who cannot isolate from other members of their household after contracting the virus.

“We are now working out the specific details in our application,” Loh told reporters at a conference on Nov. 10, adding that the centre could be up and running by Dec. 1.

Mayor Patrick Brown also confirmed the funding for Peel’s isolation centre in a recent tweet.

“Good news! At 7:49 pm tonight, our Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Lawrence Loh, received official confirmation Peel Region will be receiving funding for an Isolation Center. We pushed, made noise and got results. This will help our most vulnerable residents.”

“An Isolation Centre is a safe place to voluntarily isolate if positive with COVID-19. For many essential workers and those in precarious employment, crowded housing conditions and restrictive costs can make it impossible to self-isolate, increasing the risk of community transmission,” added Brown.

Good news!

At 7:49 pm tonight our Medical Officer of Health Dr Lawrence Loh received official confirmation Peel Region will be receiving funding for an Isolation Center.

We pushed, made noise & got results. This will help our most vulnerable residents.

Thank you @PattyHajdu!

— Patrick Brown (@patrickbrownont) November 10, 2020

Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie responded to the tweet saying, “This is fantastic news, we have been advocating for this for a long time.” 

“We’re at a pivotal moment in our fight against COVID-19 and I’m truly hopeful this isolation centre will help reduce community spread.”

This is fantastic news, we have been advocating for this for a long time. Thank you @PattyHajdu for responding to the needs of @regionofpeel. We're at a pivotal moment in our fight against #COVID19 and I'm truly hopeful this isolation centre will help reduce community spread. https://t.co/2KK7WGD1HL

— Bonnie Crombie (@BonnieCrombie) November 10, 2020