More than 1,200 internationally-trained nurses to be placed in hospitals and care homes in Ontario

Ontario's health minister says more than 1,200 internationally-trained nurses have expressed interest in working in the province.

Christine Elliott says they will be matched with workplaces later this week.

The jobs would be in both hospitals and care homes.

Elliot says the province now has a total of nearly 2,500 intensive care unit beds and about 600 ICU beds remain available today, with the ability to add nearly 500 additional beds if required.

Elliot says this initiative will help in addressing the staff shortage issue the health system has been grappling with during the COVID-19 pandemic.