Here is a roundup of the latest developments on the coronavirus pandemic in the Greater Toronto Area for Friday:
Ontario reports 462 new coronavirus cases, total now at 3,255 and 67 deaths
Ontario has confirmed 462 new coronavirus cases on Friday, bringing the provincial total to 3,255.
Friday’s new cases now mark the highest single-day jump for Ontario.
The province also reported 14 new deaths related to COVID-19. The death total is now at 67 in Ontario.
Ontario announces online COVID-19 test results portal
The Ontario government has announced a new online portal where people can check their COVID-19 test results.
In order to access results, patients must have a photo of their health card. The portal will provide results, as well as next steps.
Status of cases in Toronto
Dr. Eileen de Villa, Toronto’s medical officer of health, said as of Friday afternoon, there were 812 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 174 probable cases.
It was estimated that 27 per cent of the cases were because of community spread.
Of the confirmed and probable cases, she said 42 of the 89 hospitalized Toronto residents were in ICU beds.
Canada Post says employee at Dixie Road facility in Mississauga tests positive for COVID-19
Canada Post says it was informed on April 2 that an employee tested positive for COVID-19. The employee worked on the east side of the Dixie Road facility in Mississauga and had not been at work since March 29.
“We informed employees and sent employees that would have been in contact with the employee home to await further direction,” Canada Post said. “That also included closing the potentially impacted area of the facility to conduct a deep-clean and sanitization with medical-grade cleaner.”
It is unclear if there is impact on mail delivery.
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City of Toronto facing massive budgetary pressure due to COVID-19
Mayor John Tory and City Manager Chris Murray said the City of Toronto is facing a weekly budgetary pressure of $65 million due to COVID-19.
Tory said the budgetary issues are as a result of a reduction in TTC and parking-related revenues and increased spending costs.
Murray said the City will exhaust its 2019 budget surplus and certain reserves by June.
They said there are conversations with the higher levels of government for possible assistance.
GO Transit temporarily reducing service across GTA after 90% ridership drop
As the province continues to respond to the coronavirus pandemic, GO Transit has announced a further reduction in service amid a major ridership drop.
Metrolinx spokesperson Anne Marie Aikins told Global News in a statement that with ridership being down by approximately 90 per cent compared to this time last year, adjustments will be made to train and bus services as of Wednesday.
Trains will continue to serve all train stations except for West Harbour GO station in Hamilton, which will periodically be served by Route 18 GO buses. Buses will continue to serve all routes. Some routes will see service every 60 to 90 minutes.
READ MORE: GO Transit further reducing service temporarily after 90% ridership drop
Toronto home sales up March, but decreasing with COVID-19
Toronto Regional Real Estate Board says home sales were strong in the first half of March but then started to slow down because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sales of 8,012 homes for the whole month was a 12.3 per cent climb from last year.
The board says home sales were up 49 per cent in the first two weeks compared with last year, but sales were down 15.9 per cent compared with last year for the rest of the month.
Toronto Zoo temporarily laying off 118 staff, hiring for summer jobs on hold
The Toronto Zoo announced on Friday that 118 non-permanent staff are being laid off as of Monday and it is holding off on hiring 275 summer jobs.
The staff impacted are in the guest relations and operations, retail, learning and engagement, communications, partnerships and events, transit, custodial, first aid, materials collection, human resources and payroll, purchasing and security.
According to a statement, there will be “very limited impacts” in the wildlife and science areas as those areas were deemed the Zoo’s “highest priorities.”
“In almost a half-century of operating our Toronto Zoo, we have never experienced an event of this magnitude, which has led to such a lengthy closure and temporary job losses,” Toronto Zoo CEO Dolf DeJong wrote.
“This decision was a painful one as we value our talented team of passionate animal care activists and it was a decision that was not taken lightly.
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Ontario’s essential services list gets smaller in effort to reduce spread of COVID-19 -
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Ontario residents react to ‘stark’ COVID-19 projections -
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Models show Toronto casualties due to COVID-19 could be as high as 3,000 -
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Number of cases of COVID-19 expected to rise, questions raised around hospital preparedness -
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Funeral homes brace for potential surge in COVID-19 cases -
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Coronavirus outbreak: Toronto experiences $65 million financial pressure every week due to COVID-19 lockdown -
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Coronavirus outbreak: Toronto mayor says he supports Ford’s decision to release COVID-19 projection models
Ontario announces further workplace closures
The Ontario government has announced further business closures and a shutdown of many construction sites in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
The order takes effect as of Saturday at 11:59 p.m. and is scheduled to last for 14 days.
Ford said all industrial construction will be stopped. Only essential infrastructure-related projects will proceed. No new residential construction will take place under the order, adding inspections will be stepped up. However, residential projects near completion will be allowed to continue.
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