Coronavirus: Latest developments in the Greater Toronto Area on April 11

Here is a roundup of the latest developments on the coronavirus pandemic in the Greater Toronto Area for Saturday:

Ontario reports 411 new cases, 31 deaths

Ontario reported 411 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 Saturday morning and 31 deaths, bringing the total number of cases in the province to 6,648.

The death toll has risen to 253, with Saturday’s report marking the largest single-day increase in COVID-19-related deaths in Ontario since the outbreak began.

Meanwhile, the number of resolved cases in the province sits at 2,853, or 43 per cent of all confirmed cases.

Saturday’s increase in cases marks a 6.6 per cent jump compared to the day prior, down from Friday which saw a 8.3 per cent increase.

‘Zero tolerance’ for those disobeying physical distancing: Toronto police

Toronto’s police chief says officers are now taking a “zero tolerance” approach to dealing with those who violate physical distancing rules amid the coronavirus pandemic.

“I had a conversation with the mayor yesterday and what we’re now doing is we’re moving past the education piece,” Toronto police Chief Mark Saunders told reporters Saturday afternoon.

Saunders made the comment after Toronto Mayor John Tory sent a letter to the police chief and executive director of municipal licensing and standards recommending that stricter measures be taken.

Global News has reached out to City of Toronto officials to see if bylaw officers will be taking a similar hard-line approach, but did not hear back by the time of publication.

‘What happened in Markham is heartbreaking’: Ford

Premier Doug Ford commented on the situation at Participation House in Markham, where the majority of staff walked off the job earlier this week after being told about coronavirus cases in the facility for adults with disabilities.

“We need to do everything we can to first of all make sure we support the frontline health-care workers by providing them the PPE items that they need, but what happened in Markham is heartbreaking. We just can’t abandon the most vulnerable,” Ford said.

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The facility’s executive director told Global News Saturday afternoon that they are continuing to work to address staffing shortages.

The Service Employees International Local 2 previously said that there was a shortage of personal protective equipment at the facility since the pandemic began. Management, however, has said they have ensured “that all staff have personal protective equipment.”

4:03 Coronavirus outbreak: Ford says ‘we need to do everything we can’ to support elderly and front line workers at care homes

Hayley Wickenheiser, ‘Conquer COVID-19’ hold PPE drive

Hockey legend Hayley Wickenheiser, along with the organization “Conquer COVID-19” held a donation drive for personal protective equipment in Toronto on Saturday.

Supplies from the drive will go to different facilities, including clinics, nursing homes, elderly care facilities, and hospitals.

Premier Doug Ford was among those in attendance at the drive.

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Resident at Baycrest dies

Three residents at Baycrest’s Apotex Centre, Jewish Home for the Aged have confirmed cases of COVID-19. One resident has died.

Five staff members and one member of the food services team have tested positive for COVID-19 and are self-isolating.

Meanwhile, one patient at Baycrest Hospital is also confirmed to have the virus.

2:07 Coronavirus outbreak: Canada’s top doctor says death toll has hit 600

Ontario Together portal receives over 14,000 submissions

The province’s Ontario Together portal, which was created in a bid to get assistance from businesses with creating personal protective equipment, has received over 14,000 submissions.

More than 7,500 emergency supply submissions have led to nearly $90 million in purchases of critical supplies, including 5.1 million gloves, 250,000 face shields, 20 million masks, and 50,000 units of hand sanitizer for Ontario Provincial Police officers.

“Since our initial call to action was issued, we have had a tremendous response from Ontario businesses,” Premier Doug Ford said in a statement.

“These go-getters have stepped up in a big way to support our frontline workers with medical supplies and equipment, and many more are coming forward with a variety of innovative solutions.”

The government said the Ontario Together portal will soon call for ideas on supporting remote learning.