From the impact of Omicron on Canada’s COVID-19 count to supporting the immunocompromised during the pandemic, Unity Health Toronto experts offered insights this week into our rapidly changing world. Here are our top media hits from May 14-20.

COVID infections among Canadian adults tripled during Omicron wave compared to previous waves: study
The Canadian Press on May 18, 2022
Feature of research led by Dr. Prabhat Jha; interview with Dr. Patrick Brown

A new study led by Dr. Prabhat Jha found nearly 30 per cent of Canadian adults were infected during the Omicron wave, compared with 10 per cent in the previous four waves.

Also featured by Radio-Canada

Saved by transplants, terrified of navigating COVID: Kidney recipients still face grave risks at this stage of the pandemic
Toronto Star on May 15, 2022
Feature of St. Michael’s post-kidney transplant program; Interviews with Dr. Darren Yuen, Galo Meliton, Sharon Lee

Toronto Star spotlights the risks transplant patients face due to COVID and how the St. Michael’s Hospital transplant program, the second largest in Canada, is supporting patients through this difficult time.

About 11 per cent of admitted COVID patients return to hospital or die within 30 days: study
The Canadian Press on May 16, 2022
Feature of research led by Dr. Amol Verma

In the early pandemic, COVID-19 patients who were readmitted to hospital tended to be male, older and had other comorbidities, according to a study co-authored by Dr. Amol Verma.

Help us fix family doctor shortage ‘crisis,’ GPs tell Ontario election candidates
The Etobicoke Guardian on May 19, 2022
Interview with Dr. Tara Kiran

According to The Ontario College of Family Physicians, 1.3 million Ontarians live without a family doctor. Dr. Tara Kiran speaks about her recent research on the issue, and why it’s critical to address the shortage of family physicians.

Toronto city council to commemorate Canada’s first two Black doctors
CityNews on May 18, 2022
Interview with Dr. Nav Persaud

Toronto City Council has voted to commemorate Canada’s first two Black doctors, Drs. Alexander Augusta and Anderson Abbott, with plaques. Dr. Nav Persaud, family physician at St. Michael’s, highlights the accomplishments of Drs. Augusta and Abbott.

More Post-COVID rehab programs needed in Ontario
Cambridge Today on May 19, 2022
Interview with Dr. Ashley Verduyn

Providence Healthcare has one of the few post-COVID rehab programs in Ontario. Dr. Ashley Verduyn, medical director at Providence Healthcare, talks to Cambridge Today about the need for more rehab programs for patients with long COVID.

Monkeypox sign of disease ‘new normal’?
Toronto Sun on May 20, 2022
Interview with Dr. Kamran Khan

Dr. Kamran Khan, infectious disease physician at St. Michael’s, speaks to Toronto Sun about the small uptick in the number of global monkeypox cases, and how we’ve entered a “new era of epidemics.”

Revolutionize healthcare by delivering AI solutions developed at St. Michael’s to hospitals around the world
Hospital News on May 17, 2022
Feature of Signal 1 collaboration

Unity Health is collaborating with Signal 1 to bring transformative artificial intelligence solutions to health care. Hospital News features this historic moment that will strengthen our work in AI and accelerate our pursuit of best care experiences.

Game changer: St. Michael’s is first hospital in Canada to acquire clinical portable MRI scanner
Hospital News on May 16, 2022
Feature of MRI acquisition

St. Michael’s Hospital has acquired a portable Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scanner that can generate images of the brain at the patient’s bedside. Hospital News features the ways the scanner will impact care.