As the number of COVID-19 cases among health-care workers continues to rise in Ontario, clinicians say multiple factors could be fuelling the spike in various settings, from long-term care homes to laboratories — with risks beyond just patient care. The latest provincial data shows 3,607 positive cases confirmed among health-care workers, making up nearly 17 per cent of all cases across Ontario. More than 2,700 others, including personal support workers, respiratory therapists, hospital cleaners, and instances where local public health units did not specify a specific profession. At least nine health-care workers have also died of COVID-19, including a nurse, two hospital cleaners, and six personal support workers. Similar concerns have been common among health-care workers and CBC News has previously reported on staff rationing equipment and re-using masks at various facilities.

Source: CBC News May 15, 2020 08:00 UTC