Here is a roundup of the latest developments on the coronavirus pandemic in the Greater Toronto Area for Monday:
370 new coronavirus cases, 84 deaths in Ontario as total cases reach 17,923
Ontario reported 370 new cases of the novel coronavirus on Monday, bringing the provincial total to 17,923 cases.
The death toll has risen to 1,300 as 84 more deaths were reported.
Meanwhile, 12,505 people have recovered from COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus, which is 69.8 per cent of cases.
Greater Toronto Area public health units account for 60.1 per cent of all cases in the province.
Status of cases in Toronto
Toronto Public Health says the city has 6,278 cases of COVID-19 as of Sunday afternoon, with 5,641 confirmed cases and 637 probable.
- Guilty plea: Ex-boyfriend admits to killing Ontario woman after breaking into her home
- Doug Ford’s PC Party is polling on possible early 2025 election for Ontario
- Former Ottawa deputy police chief charged with sexual assault: SIU
- More than 50 workers to be laid off from Ontario Science Centre, union says
There are 387 people hospitalized with the virus in the city, with 105 in intensive care.
A total of 449 people have died from COVID-19 in Toronto.
Toronto to open community gardens
The City of Toronto says its community gardens will will begin to open this week amid an easing of restrictions from the provincial government.
Officials said physical distancing restrictions will be in place at each of the gardens.
Allotment gardens, meanwhile, will begin to open during the week of May 11.
Longo’s customers must wear masks starting May 4
Longo’s says customers wanting to shop at their locations are required to wear masks starting on May 4 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“Guests are required to wear a mask or face covering while in the store,” Longo’s said in a statement on their website. “Please bring one with you to keep everyone safe.”
Longo’s said it will have masks for purchase if a customer does not bring a mask or face covering.
The mask requirement does not apply to children under the age of 2, the grocery chain said.
Toronto’s Harbourfront Centre cancels all outdoor summer festivals
Toronto’s Harbourfront Centre announced Monday that it has cancelled all outdoor summer festivals in 2020.
“We are making this difficult decision out of an abundance of caution to protect the health and safety of our staff, the artists involved and our visitors,” said Harboufront Centre CEO Marah Braye in a press release. “We are disappointed, but health and safety will always be our top priority.”
The cancelled summer season would have run from July 1 to Labour Day (Sept. 7).
Burlington reverses ban on drive-by processions of more than 5 vehicles
The City of Burlington has reversed its ban on drive-by processions after officials said last week that they are too risky amid the coronavirus pandemic.
“Provincial emergency orders do not limit drive-by parades to five cars, providing people remain in their vehicle, do not stop or get out,” the City said in a statement Monday.
The City is encouraging those who organize drive-by parades to alert neighbours ahead of the procession, refrain gathering at a centralized location, and stay on your own property if observing.
Death toll reaches 26 at north-end Toronto nursing home
The number of COVID-19-related deaths at a north-end Toronto nursing home has risen to 26.
The total number of residents who have tested positive for the virus at Hawthorne Place Care Centre is 44, while 14 are awaiting results.
Meanwhile, 79 staff members have COVID-19 and are self-isolating.
The Canadian Armed Fores are assisting at the home.
Ontario reaches testing goal
Ontario has reached its goal of significantly increasing daily testing by early May.
Over the past several days, the province has conducted over 16,000 tests per day, which the government previously said they hoped to reach by May 6.
On Monday, government figures showed a slight dip in testing with just over 14,500 tests conducted within the past 24 hours.
“We’ve been working around the clock to establish a vast and robust testing regime, which is critical in our fight against this deadly virus,” Premier Doug Ford said in a statement.
“We’re now exceeding our target of 16,000 tests a day, with many of those tests aimed at protecting our long-term care residents and staff. This important milestone provides a strong foundation for gradually reopening our economy and getting people back to work, while protecting the health and safety of all Ontarians.”
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