Here is a roundup of the latest developments on the coronavirus pandemic in the Greater Toronto Area for Tuesday:
Ontario reports 43 new coronavirus deaths, total rises to 334 deaths and 7,953 cases
Ontario reported 483 new cases of the novel coronavirus on Tuesday and 43 additional deaths, bringing the provincial total to 7,953 cases.
The death toll has risen to 334.
This is the highest reported single-day increase in deaths that the province has seen since the outbreak began.
However, 3,568 people have recovered from the virus, which is 44.9 per cent of cases.
Greater Toronto Area public health units account for 54.4 per cent of all cases in the province.
Status of cases in Toronto
Toronto Public Health said there were 2,543 cases of COVID-19 in the city as of 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, with 223 people hospitalized and 90 in intensive care.
Thirty-eight outbreaks have been confirmed in long-term care homes in the city, and 14 in retirement homes.
A total of 115 COVID-19-related deaths have occurred in the city, with 68 in long-term care homes and one in a retirement home.
2 more deaths at Etobicoke care home, raising total to 27
Two more deaths were reported at Eatonville Care Centre, raising the number of COVID-19-related deaths at the facility to 27.
“Due to expanded COVID-19 testing criteria, we have tested more residents throughout our home and are now awaiting test results on over 70 residents. We also had a slight increase in confirmed COVID-19 positive cases since yesterday, which now stands at 53,” a statement from the facility read.
More residents of Markham group home test positive
Officials at Participation House in Markham say 37 of 42 residents have tested positive for COVID-19.
The home, which houses adults with disabilities, has been struggling with a staffing shortage since workers walked out after learning of a coronavirus outbreak last Thursday.
TTC creates COVID-19 case page, 13 employees test positive for coronavirus
The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) has created a COVID-19 case update page, where as of Tuesday morning it says 13 employees have tested positive for coronavirus so far.
The page also stated that 240 employees are currently in self-isolation.
Appeal for donations to local Toronto businesses
A website has been launched aimed at administering donations for Toronto businesses closed amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Toronto Mayor John Tory touted the launch of the site, Distantly.ca, and added that “main street” businesses are key a key part of the city.
18 ticketed in Brampton after ignoring social distancing bylaw
Eighteen people were ticketed in Brampton over the weekend in two separate incidents for violating the social distancing bylaw, in relation to the coronavirus pandemic, by playing cricket.
A spokesperson for the City of Brampton confirmed the 18 $880 tickets to Global News on Tuesday.
Both incidents took place April 12 at two separate locations.
30 positive cases in Toronto’s homeless community
At least 30 people using homeless and refugee shelters in Toronto have tested positive for COVID-19, officials said Tuesday.
The largest outbreak was reported at Willowdale Welcome Centre, a shelter for refugees in the city’s north end, said the CEO of Homes First Society, the organization that runs the facility.
Ontario state of emergency extended, Ford promises more resources for long-term care
Ontario’s state of emergency was extended until May 12 as Premier Doug Ford promised more resources for the province’s long-term care homes.
Ford said it’s too soon to lift restrictions that have been imposed during the pandemic.
Ford said his government would issue a new order Tuesday night deploying more staff to long-term care homes and make it mandatory that employees only work at one facility.
Schools to remain closed past May 4
Ontario Premier Doug Ford says the province’s public schools won’t be reopening on May 4 amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Ford said Education Minister Stephen Lecce will be providing more details on the announcement in the coming days.
“That does not mean that the year’s cancelled,” Ford said.
“The minister of education will be out over the next couple days.”
— With files from The Canadian Press