The chair of the scientific table for COVID-19 in Ontario said he is "very uncomfortable" about the increasing number of COVID-19 cases, and opposed Premier Doug Ford's assertion that the province can increase up to 3,000 ICU beds if necessary.

Dr. Peter Jüni, director of Ontario's scientific table, told CTV News on Wednesday: "There is no way we can increase the number of beds to 3,000 ICU beds." "We do not have the staff."

Jüni warned that the backlog of surgeries in the province could increase as hospitals again have to cancel surgeries because they are "unable to deal with what is already coming." "We probably already have the highest number of daily infections in this pandemic."

Jüni says he agrees with the Ford government’s predictions that fewer people will end up hospitalized with COVID-19 in the sixth wave, due to the "immunity wall" that has been built in the province. However, according to the scientific table chair, nearly "one in every 20 Ontarians" currently has an active COVID-19 infection.

Jüni also warns that rising infections can cause staff shortages in Ontario hospitals, which will become "more apparent" if cases rise in the community.