50 COVID-19 outbreaks in Toronto's homeless shelter system, data says
As temperatures dip, Toronto's homeless people find themselves facing an awful choice: stay outside and freeze, or go inside and risk catching COVID-19, advocates say.
Outside, wind chill values dropped to near -30 C, as the City of Toronto issued an Extreme Cold Weather Alert.
But inside, city figures show another danger: the Omicron variant speeding through shelters. There are 50 outbreaks across the shelter system — more than half of all shelters — and there were 401 COVID-19 cases in those outbreaks, and one death, as of Friday.
That’s up from 48 outbreaks a few days ago, as the pandemic piles on to many other challenges homeless people face. The situation was predictable, said one advocate, who said the city’s shelter system should have been more prepared.
“We knew that COVID-19 was going to be coming. We knew that winter was coming. It’s not like any of this should have been a surprise,” said Lorraine Lam, an outreach worker with Sanctuary Toronto.
The City of Toronto said in a statement that it had opened up 26 temporary sites, four warming centres and two respite centres. It said it’s using more than 440 HEPA filters and says it’s on track to provide more than 310,000 N95 masks to people using the system — enough for two weeks.
The shelter system is not the only public service under strain from a surge of COVID-19 — ambulances, public transit, and the hospitals themselves have all been affected.
On Saturday, Engage and Change’s Project Winter Survival shipped out some 3000 survival kits for distribution to those in need.
The kits contain 27 items including hand warmers, sleeping bags, and other items designed to help people navigate extreme cold.
“The harsh elements make it much more challenging for the people out there who don’t have homes and are suffering,” said Staff Sgt. John Stockfish, a Toronto Police officer volunteering his time helping move the 3000 bags into cars, destined to arrive at more than 200 agencies.
Project Winter Survival has been going on for more than two decades — something that its organizers actually wish didn’t happen at all.
“Every year I say this. We don’t want to do this. The solution is long-term housing and supportive services. But we will be here as long as there’s a problem,” said organizer Jody Steinhauer.
Steinhauer estimated there are more than 10,000 homeless people in Toronto. The last homeless count, finished before the pandemic began, counted some 7300 people living inside support services and outside — but there were about 7400 people sleeping in the system as of earlier this week.
The surge is likely due to many people who live outside choosing to avoid the cold — but Tracy Murdoch of Woodgreen Community Services said she is seeing an across the board increase as well.
“I have not seen the homelessness at this rate since the 1980s. People are overdosing. People are dying,” she said.
Scott Mills, a retired Toronto Police officer turned advocate with Invisible People, said he wants people to change the way they understand homelessness, and to find compassion this winter.
“What can we do? Do something little. If you see someone homeless on the street, say hi. Give them some hope,” he said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Police arrest 3 in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Five areas Canada's foreign interference commissioner says needs more investigation
Commissioner Marie-Josee Hogue released her interim report examining foreign election interference on Friday. Here are five elements of the issue that Hogue says she needs to further probe before she can make conclusions or recommendations.
Police officer hit by driver of fleeing vehicle in Toronto
York Regional Police say they are continuing to search for a suspect in an auto theft investigation who was captured on video running over a police officer in Toronto last month.
Why your airfare may be getting more expensive
Skyrocketing airfare prices are linked to heightened competition and rising food and fuel, according to the CAA.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
New weight-loss drug Wegovy not a 'magic bullet,' doctor warns
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.
Funeral today for broadcasting legend and voice of 'Hockey Night in Canada' Bob Cole
A funeral is being held today for hockey broadcasting legend Bob Cole in his hometown of St. John's, N.L.
Foreign meddling 'did not affect' overall federal election results: inquiry report
Foreign interference by China did not affect the overall results of the 2019 and 2021 general elections won by Justin Trudeau's Liberals, a federal commission of inquiry has found.