Brampton Civic has no COVID-19 patients in ICU despite spike in cases

There were no COVID-19 patients in either Brampton Civic and Etobicoke General hospital intensive care units as of Tuesday morning despite a recent spike in cases across Ontario.

According to data from William Osler Health System, there were a combined 33 patients with COVID-19 at Brampton Civic and Etobicoke General as of April 12 but neither hospital had any of those patients in critical care.

The news comes as Ontario is reporting the highest number of COVID-19 hospitalizations since mid-February with 1,366 patients with the virus in hospitals across the province on Tuesday.

The Ministry of Health said there were 190 COVID-19 patients in Ontario hospitals and some 2,300 confirmed cases on Tuesday, but experts have said there may be more than 100,000 new cases daily based on wastewater testing.

On Monday, Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kieran Moore said Monday that the province is in the middle of a sixth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Moore said the province had no plans to reinstate a broad mask mandate but urged Ontarians to continue wearing face coverings when in high-risk settings and to “be prepared” for new mask requirements “if a new variant of concern emerges.”

RELATED: High-risk Ontarians can get COVID-19 antiviral treatments and testing

The province has expanded PCR testing and antiviral treatment eligibility for Ontarians with a high-risk of complications, with treatments like Paxlovid available as of Monday.

The following higher-risk groups are now eligible to be tested and assessed for antiviral treatments:

• Individuals aged 18 and over who are immunocompromised (have an immune system that is weakened by a health condition or medications)
• Individuals aged 70 and over
• Individuals aged 60 and over with fewer than three vaccine doses
• Individuals aged 18 and over with fewer than three vaccine doses and at least one risk condition

Anyone who is eligible for an assessment is now also eligible for a PCR test at any testing centre in Ontario.

The province’s antiviral screener tool can help determine if you are at higher risk and should be assessed for treatment.

A positive rapid antigen test, PCR or rapid molecular test is required as part of the assessment for antiviral treatment.