Dr. Lawrence Loh, Interim Medical Officer of Health, advised that Peel Public Health and all other health units in the province continue to work closely with the Chief Medical Officer of Health and the Ministry of Health in advancing a coordinated pandemic response based on the provincial framework for reopening. Using the province’s framework, Peel Public Health has started tracking enhanced metrics intended to bring more data and specificity to the state of COVID-19 in the Region.
The metrics were developed to support ongoing collaborative dialogue with provincial partners to better understand the progress of the pandemic in communities across the province but have not yet been formally endorsed by the Council of Medical Officers of Health which represents all 34 health units.
Dr. Loh described the metrics which apply to viral spread and containment, healthcare system capacity, public health system capacity, and incidence tracking capacity, noting that testing is a provincial responsibility. Initial public reporting of these metrics will occur in the weekly epidemiologic report which is posted on the Region of Peel website. The metrics are not accountability indicators, but rather situational information to guide decision-making. Dr. Loh noted that while the indicators are helpful to inform recommendations, they will not be the sole criterion in doing so. This means they should generally be examined with an understanding of context and evidence, and together, rather than individually.
The Region of Peel is not seeing a sustained decrease in viral spread and containment. Hospital partners still have many patients with COVID and are at a high enough utilization on the borderline of the provincially identified metrics, so that they might not be able to start up elective surgeries, etc.
Dr. Loh reiterated the importance of avoiding crowds, physical distancing in public, hand hygiene, and wearing non-medical masks where one cannot distance such as indoor retail or transit.
Peel Public Health is awaiting the province’s testing framework while working with hospital partners to address increased demand. Dr. Loh stated that testing is a provincial matter; public health only facilitates it in certain settings and acts on the results, but the criteria are set by the government and the tests are resourced and conducted by Ontario Health and provincial laboratories.
Peel Public Health is looking into geo-mapping of cases and will be releasing a static map in the weekly epidemiologic updates; however, Dr. Loh cautioned that the mapping should be interpreted carefully as it often shows where people live, rather than where they got the disease. It is important to report geographic data carefully, in a manner that does not result in stigmatizing existing neighbourhoods or communities.
In response to questions from Councillor Damerla, Dr. Loh advised that the enhanced metrics will help to form part of his recommendations related to reopening and that it is important to consider all metrics when developing recommendations. In releasing data related to places of transmission, there is a need to balance the protection of people’s health information with the need for public disclosure and transparency.
In response to a question from Councillor Crombie, Dr. Loh advised that the provincial testing strategy is expected to be released soon.
Councillor Ras inquired if Peel Public Health could provide recommendations on how families could celebrate the graduates of 2020. Dr. Loh stated that staff are reviewing the issue and will respond in the near future.
In response to a question from Councillor Dasko, Dr. Loh advised that many places traditionally utilized as cooling centres remain closed and that Peel Public Health staff are working with local municipal staff to identify alternatives, and the information will be communicated when available.
Councillor Downey requested that the issue of stigmatization arising from geo-mapping be discussed at a future meeting of the Diversity, Equity and Anti-Racism Committee.
Councillor Brown encouraged the release of interactive geo-mapping as soon as possible, noting that many residents are requesting access to the information.
Councillor Saito noted that the requirement for people to pay hospital parking fees while waiting to be tested for COVID-19 could deter people from getting tested.
The Acting Commissioner of Health Services undertook to raise the concern with hospital partners.