The Ontario Medical Association says that the backlog in some services seems to be worsening, growing by about a million in the past three months.

They now number 22 million, according to an analysis conducted by the OMA, the increase appears to be driven by the "Omicron" variant.

OMA President Dr. Rose Zacharias said they need unprecedented support if they are going to keep up with it.

Zacharias said: "People will now wait not for months, but in some cases years, for cancer screenings and surgeries they have been waiting for. It is an incredible crisis."

The backlog ranges anywhere from routine exams and child immunizations to diagnostic tests and surgeries.

OMA said the delays harm health outcomes and some individuals are waiting for more than one service. Zacharias said: "This is very concerning to me and my colleagues because patients are waiting this long to receive the surgical services and procedures they deserve."

Zacharias added: "We know that more than 350 doctors are now needed in Northern Ontario. People's health is deteriorating as they wait for delayed surgeries and procedures, and so we do not want to have to deal with a healthcare shortage. We prefer to be in a position where we have a large number, or at least enough."