Toronto’s medical officer of health has issued an extreme cold weather alert for the city. The advisory was issued at around 7:30 a.m. on Thursday.
According to the reports of environment Canada, Toronto will see a high of -6 C on Thursday but the temperature will feel closer to -18 with the wind chill. Overnight, the national weather agency says it will feel like -24.
The Toronto Public Health has advised people to check on their family members, friends, and neighbours specially who are week or old time. Those who are more susceptible to cold related illnesses are the people experiencing homelessness, outdoor workers, those with pre-existing heart conditions, elderly people, and young children.
Because of the alert a number of additional cold-weather services, including a warming centre at Metro Hall has been started.
“The other services include notification to community agencies to relax any service restrictions, availability of transit tokens in some drop-ins, and additional overnight street outreach,” the city’s news release read.
There are also multiple 24-hour respites sites open throughout the year where people can sleep, get meals, and receive referrals to other services offered in Toronto.
Dr. Christine Navarro, the associate medical officer of health for Toronto Public Health, said on Thursday afternoon: “When the temperatures are this cold, even as low as -20 with the wind chill, that’s when we are concerned about things like hypothermia,”
“With prolonged exposure that can even result in death so that is really important to seek shelter, to stay warm, drink hot liquids, and dress in layers” he added to his statement.
