Coronavirus: Latest developments in the Greater Toronto Area on April 6

Here is a roundup of the latest developments on the coronavirus pandemic in the Greater Toronto Area for Monday, April 6:

309 new coronavirus cases reported in Ontario, total hits 4,347 and 132 deaths

Ontario reported 309 new cases of the novel coronavirus on Monday and 13 new deaths, bringing the total number of cases in the province to 4,347.

The death toll has risen to 132.

They also reported 1,624 patients have recovered from the virus.

Greater Toronto Area public health units account for 51.9 per cent of all cases.

1:56 Peel Region paramedic tests positive for COVID-19

• Peel Region paramedic tests positive for COVID-19
• Coronavirus: Ontario struggles to get masks from U.S.
• Toronto looks to address food security concerns during coronavirus pandemic
• Coronavirus: Beer Store returns have start up again
• Coronavirus: Intubation Box donations to help protect frontline hospital workers

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2 Markham residents due from COVID-19, mayor says

Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti announced on Monday that two local residents died due to COVID-19.

In a post on Twitter, Scarpitti said an 81-year-old man and a 99-year-old man died.

“Our hearts are heavy. Our thoughts are with their families and loved ones,” he said.

“Our community has now lost 13 people due to #COVID19.”

Online learning begins for students across Ontario as COVID-19 closures continue

Students across Ontario begin online learning today, more than three weeks after COVID-19 shuttered schools in the name of physical distancing.

The ministry is recommending elementary students spend between five and 10 hours on learning per week, depending on the age.

High school students, it says, should spend three hours per course per week if they’re on a semestered system, or half that if their schedule isn’t split into semesters.

City of Toronto cases exceed 1,300, while death toll climbs to 32

The number of COVID-19 cases in Toronto has reached 1,301 while seven additional deaths were reported, bringing the death toll to 32.

Toronto’s medical officer of health, Dr. Eileen de Villa, said there have been 135 confirmed cases in long-term care or retirement homes in the city and 15 deaths.

Meanwhile, officials said the City’s enforcement blitz — aimed at enforcing the City and province’s physical distancing laws — over the weekend resulted in police officers issuing 26 tickets and cautioning 976 others. Bylaw officers issued three tickets, three written cautions, and 196 verbal cautions.

Overall, officials said 2,480 people were spoken to and 300 parks and public spaces were patrolled each day.

City of Toronto announces more support for food programs

City officials said they are working with United Way Greater Toronto, the Daily Bread Food Bank and other Toronto agencies “to identify where the greatest needs are and how best to ensure low-income and vulnerable residents continue to have food access.”

Mayor John Tory also announced that some corporations have offered donations and food credit for food banks, multi-service centres, home delivery programs, and meal drop-ins. Several libraries are going to be utilized as food banks.

More Toronto police officers test positive

The Toronto Police Service confirmed a total of nine members of the force have tested positive for COVID-19, including three civilian members and six officers.

One of the affected members is from police headquarters, three from 14 Division, one from 23 Division, two from 52 Division, one from parking enforcement and one from court services.

A spokesperson for Toronto police wouldn’t say how many officers are in self-isolation. Last Tuesday the union representing officers said that number were over 500.

Military seen on GTA roads as task force created

Some military personnel and vehicles were seen on roads in the Greater Toronto Area on Monday as they worked to set up a task force at Canadian Forces Base Borden.

The military said they will then be able to respond to COVID-19-related requests or spring flooding if needed.

Mayor John Tory said the Toronto currently isn’t looking to request assistance from the military.

2:19 Coronavirus outbreak: Tory says city received reports of people not abiding by grocery store COVID-19 measures

• Coronavirus outbreak: Tory says city received reports of people not abiding by grocery store COVID-19 measures
• Coronavirus outbreak: Ontario working on plan to take advantage of increased testing capacity
• Coronavirus outbreak: Ontario health officials warn about rolling back physical distancing measures too soon
• Coronavirus outbreak: Ontario health officer says its ‘a bit too early’ to know if COVID-19 cases have peaked

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Premier Ford warns province will run out of PPE in a week

Ontario Premier Doug Ford said recent restrictions on shipments at the United States border have left the province with just one more week’s worth of personal protective equipment for health-care workers.

— With files from Nick Westoll and The Canadian Press