Ontario is expanding its data collection practices for those who test positive for COVID-19. The regulation change is to gather more information in order to provide public health officials a more detailed picture of the outbreak.
“As has been requested by community leaders, we are taking action to support and expand the work needed to help protect our communities all across the province,” Health Minister Christine Elliott said. The province will be collecting data on race, income, language and household income.
“Collecting these data will help guide decisions as work continues to stop the spread of the virus and protect some of our most vulnerable people,” Elliott said. Individuals can choose not to answer the questions, and their privacy will be protected.
The province appointed Dr. Jane Philpott as a new advisor on the data health platform.
