Emergency Ford government order tries to save long-term care home residents

In Ontario, there have been 249 outbreaks in its 626 long-term care homes. The outbreaks are now responsible for over three quarters of coronavirus deaths, according to CTV News.

The province issued a press release on Wednesday saying that the order will "support the use of rapid, immediate and effective management alternatives to protect residents and staff within a home" when required.

"We are doing everything we can to fortify the iron ring of protection around our long-term care residents and the heroic frontline staff who care for them. By taking this step, we will be better prepared to immediately swing into action if a home is struggling to contain this deadly virus," said Premier Doug Ford in the release.

Emergency orders were previously put into place in Ontario restricting staff from moving between long-term care homes and also allowing redeployment of hospital workers in order to fill staffing shortages.

In the press release, Dr. Merrilee Fullerton, the Minister of Long-Term Care noted that the order is another step to “ensure homes are provided with the support they need at this challenging time.”