Coronavirus: Latest developments in the Greater Toronto Area on May 19

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

Ontario reports 427 new coronavirus cases, 15 deaths

Ontario reported 427 new cases of the novel coronavirus on Tuesday, bringing the provincial total to 23,384 cases.

The death toll has risen to 1,919 as 15 more deaths were reported. This is the lowest number of deaths reported in a 24-hour period since April 6.

Meanwhile, 17,898 people have recovered from COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus, which is 76 per cent of cases.

Greater Toronto Area public health units account for about 63 per cent of all cases in the province.

Status of COVID-19 cases in Toronto

According to the most recent data on the Toronto Public Health (TPH) website Tuesday evening, there were 1,560 active cases and 6,616 resolved cases of COVID-19. TPH also reported 690 people died after contracting the virus.

Of the 416 residents currently in hospital, 90 were being treated in ICU.

Province’s emergency orders extended

The Ontario government extended the province’s emergency orders until May 29.

The extension means that bars and restaurants will remain closed, with the exception of takeout and delivery options, restrictions on gatherings of more than five people stays in place and “staff redeployment rules for long-term care homes and congregate setting like retirement homes and women’s shelters” also remain in effect, according to a press release Tuesday.

School year cancelled, child-care centres remain closed

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The Ontario government says an in-class school year will not be able to recommence during the coronavirus pandemic, however, online learning will continue.

Daycares and child-care centres will also remain closed, with the exception of those opened for front-line workers. Home-based childcare is also allowed to continue.

Ontario schools have been shutdown since March 13.

Summer day camps may be allowed to open

The Ontario government might allow summer day camps to open in July and August under “strict” health and safety measures as long as trends continue to improve amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Overnight camps, however, will not be permitted all summer.

1:25 Coronavirus outbreak: Ontario overnight summer camps cancelled, day camps to open in July, August

Ontario to hold independent commission into long-term care system

The Ontario government has announced there will be an independent commission that will review the province’s long-term care system.

Long-Term Care Minister Merrilee Fullerton said the system is “broken.”

“Our government has been clear that we will review the long-term care system to get a better understanding of the impacts and responses to the COVID-19 outbreak,” Fullerton said in a statement.

“I am announcing that we will be launching an independent commission into Ontario’s long-term care system beginning in September. Over the next several months, our government will be finalizing details of the commission including terms of reference, membership, leadership of the commission and reporting timelines.”

According to the ministry of long-term care, there have been 1,408 COVID-19-related deaths in long-term care homes in the province.

Stage 1 of reopening begins

Ontario officially moved into Stage 1 of reopening on Tuesday.

The easing of restrictions allowed for the reopening of some businesses, including storefront retail shops.

Certain home medical services are also allowed to resume, as well as construction projects.

The province has released physical distancing requirements for the businesses permitted to reopen.

2:42 Coronavirus: Ontario retailers get ready to reopen