Small changes could put Ontario back on track as coronavirus case counts increase: Science Table chief

The head of Ontario’s Science Advisory Table says rising COVID-19 case counts in the province are an 'early sign' that we are on the wrong trajectory and people must reassess their own behaviour to help bring things under control.

Over the past several days, case counts have been steadily rising in the province with the seven-day rolling average of new infections jumping to nearly 500 today, up from just 371 one week ago.

Dr. Peter Jüni, head of Ontario’s Science Advisory Table, said the increase can be attributed to a “combination of factors,” including a drop in temperature and people getting “more adventurous” by expanding their social circle.

“The situation is quite OK still but we are just not on the trajectory that we want to stay,” he said.

“Right now we have a doubling time of 17 days, meaning that if this continues like that, 500 cases per day right now on average will become about 1,000 cases per day in about two-and-a-half weeks from now.”