We are likely to hear a plan from Premier Doug Ford Wednesday on getting COVID-19 third shot boosters into more arms and sooner than the original schedule, because of concerns around the new and more transmissible Omicron variant.

Ford is holding a news conference at 2pm after a morning meeting with his cabinet ministers, following some dire news delivered yesterday by Chief Medical Officer Dr. Kieran Moore.

“Data suggests that each Omicron case is infecting four to eight times more individuals than the Delta variant and it is rapidly becoming the dominant strain in Ontario,” Dr. Moore explained.

Dr. Moore also announced COVID-19 testing is being ramped up in long-term care homes and restrictions tightened on visitors and resident activities in an attempt to guard against Omicron.

Advocates like Lisa Levin, CEO of AdvantAge Ontario, told Zoomer Radio’s Fight Back with Libby Znaimer, most residents have had their third shot and feels the same should go for staff.

“And the other thing we’re starting to hear about is perhaps it would be a good idea to give long term care residents four doses (of COVID vaccine), which might seem like a lot, but we’re hearing that the science table is recommending it for immuno-compromised,” Levin explained.

Listen for Libby’s full conversation with Lisa Levin by clicking here.

Monday December 13th was the deadline for all long term care staff and volunteers to be double vaccinated against COVID-19.