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

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

Ontario reports 308 new cases, 35 deaths

Ontario reported 308 new cases of the novel coronavirus Monday morning, bringing the total number of cases in the province to 20,546.

Thirty-five new deaths were also reported, bringing the total fatalities attributed to the virus in the province to 1,669.

Over 15,100 cases are considered resolved, which makes up 73.6 per cent of all confirmed cases.

Nearly 14,000 additional tests have been conducted, bringing the total number completed in the province to 447,964.

Monday’s report marks a 1.5 per cent increase in cumulative cases. Sunday saw the same figure, while Saturday saw 1.8 per cent and Friday 2.5 per cent.

Status of COVID-19 cases in Toronto

According to the most recent data on the Toronto Public Health (TPH) website Monday evening, there were 1,628 active cases and 5,350 resolved cases of COVID-19. TPH also reported 589 people died after contracting the virus.

Of the 431 residents currently in hospital, 101 were being treated in ICU.

City of Toronto launches ShopHERE program to help small businesses open online stores

The City of Toronto formally unveiled an initiative under its digital main street program to help small businesses open online stores.

“ShopHERE will provide Toronto independent businesses and artists the opportunity to develop an online store, which will be built and launched for free in just a matter of days,” a statement issued by the City Monday afternoon said.

“Hands-on support will be provided throughout the entire process from volunteer website developers and marketing and business students.”

It was estimated more than 49,000 businesses would be eligible for the program.

For more information, click here.

1st person in Toronto’s shelter system dies of COVID-19, public health reports

The City of Toronto says a man in his 50s is the first person to die of COVID-19 in the shelter system.

Medical officer of health Dr. Eileen de Villa says the man lived at Dixon Hall Schoolhouse and died in hospital on May 8.

She says an outbreak occurred at the shelter in April, but it was declared over by May 5.

READ MORE: Man becomes 1st person in Toronto’s shelter system to die of COVID-19, public health says

2 more residents at north-end Toronto nursing home: facility staff

Staff at Downsview Long-term Care Centre said in a statement on Monday that two more residents have died after testing positive for coronavirus.

The deaths bring the total number of residents dead to date to 37.

The statement also said 63 residents and 76 employees in total have tested positive for coronavirus.

3 more residents at north-end Toronto nursing home die of COVID-19, executive director says

Gale Coburn, executive director of Hawthorne Place Care Centre, told Global News in a statement Monday evening that 35 residents have died of COVID-19 to date.

She also said 94 residents are actively affected by the virus, marking a jump due to public health retesting. Thirty people are awaiting results.

In total, Coburn said 84 staff members have tested positive for coronavirus.

She praised staff and Canadian Armed Forces personnel for assisting over Mother’s Day and paid tribute to the nursing staff.

“I’m so thankful for a team that can come together and help our residents make special memories despite the challenging times that we all face,” Coburn wrote.

“I want to take a moment to recognize the hard-working nurses in our home during National Nurses Week. They are on the frontlines of care and, since day one, have continued to persevere and provide exceptional care.”

Ontario stores reopen for curbside pickup, delivery

Stores in Ontario are allowed to reopen today for curbside pickup after a weekend that saw the spread of COVID-19 slow to a pace not seen since March.

The measure announced last week is meant to help ramp the economy back up after the pandemic caused unprecedented job losses in March and April.

Premier Ford says update on childcare and schools to be given next week

At his daily press conference on Monday, Premier Doug Ford told reporters that an update on childcare and schools across the province will be provided early next week.

“They’re just cross their t’s and dotting their I’s,” Ford said when asked about the topic.

Ontario schools have been closed since early March. Most child-care and daycare centres are currently closed, as well. Emergency ones have been opened in Toronto and the province, however, to help with the child-care needs of front-line and essential workers.

The province is currently under a state of emergency until at least May 19.

Ontario to extend state of emergency

Ontario is expected to extend its state of emergency until the beginning of June.

The legislature will sit on Tuesday and is expected to extend the state of emergency until June 2.

The state of emergency is dealt with separately from the emergency orders, recently extended to May 19, which cover closures of bars and restaurants except for take-out and delivery, theatres, outdoor amenities such as playgrounds, and child care centres.

1:10 Coronavirus outbreak: Ford says Ontario will likely extend state of emergency ‘to continue moving forward’

Ford admits daughters visited his home

Ontario Premier Doug Ford has admitted that his daughters visited his home recently, which appears to contradict the Ontario government’s physical distancing guidelines.

“We have the girls and the girls came over. There were six of us,” Ford said during a press conference Monday afternoon.

According to the province’s physical distancing guidelines, people should stay home as much as possible, limit home visits to people who you “must see,” and stay two metres away from anyone outside of your household.

Also, under the province’s emergency orders, gatherings of more than five people are also prohibited.

— With files from The Canadian Press