Here is a roundup of the latest developments on the coronavirus pandemic in the Greater Toronto Area for Monday:
404 new coronavirus cases, 29 deaths in Ontario as total cases reach 25,904
Ontario reported 404 new cases of the novel coronavirus on Monday, bringing the provincial total to 25,904 cases.
The death toll has risen to 2,102 as 29 more deaths were reported.
Meanwhile, 19,698 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 almost 65 per cent of all cases in the province.
Meanwhile, Health Minister Christine Elliott said the recent rise in coronavirus cases (the last several days have seen new cases above 400) was boosted by Mother’s Day gatherings contrary to public health rules.
Status of cases in Toronto
Toronto officials say there are a total of 10,212 cases of COVID-19 in the city, an increase of 177 since Sunday.
A total of 7,509 cases are considered resolved.
- Ontario raising speed limits on some highways, including parts of 401
- Smash and grab: Video shows 5 suspects robbing a Toronto jewelry store, police say
- Ford government wins battle to keep health-care staffing shortage figures secret
- Ontario police trying to find out who’s responsible for calling 911 more than 1,000 times
There are 377 people in hospital with the virus, with 91 in intensive care.
There have been 761 COVID-19-related deaths in Toronto.
Ford encourages everyone who visited crowded Toronto park to get tested
Ontario Premier Doug Ford is encouraging everyone who visited a crowded Toronto park over the weekend to get tested for the novel coronavirus.
“I’m disappointed, to say the least, with everyone that showed up to Trinity Bellwoods on Saturday,” Ford said during his press conference Monday.
“Why don’t you do us all a favour and go get tested now? Go to a local hospital assessment centre and get tested. And I encourage anyone who’s been in any large gatherings like that … they need to get tested. That’s what I would recommend.”
Officials ‘didn’t want to infuriate’ Trinity Bellwoods crowd
City of Toronto officials say no physical distancing tickets were handed out at Trinity Bellwoods on Saturday despite the large gatherings.
Carleton Grant, the executive director of municipal licencing and standards, said officers “didn’t want to infuriate the crowd.”
Some tickets were distributed for public urination.
“We increased our presence on Sunday. We were there early,” Grant said.
2 employees at downtown Loblaws test positive for coronavirus
Loblaws confirms through a Facebook post that two team members from their 60 Carlton Street location, at Church Street, have tested positive for coronavirus.
The employees’ last work days at the grocery store were May 13 and May 18, Loblaws said, adding that neither had symptoms at that time
“We have a number of protocols in place at the store-level, including daily sanitization and social distancing practices to minimize the risk of exposure to our customers and team members,” Loblaws said.
Loblaws said the store was closed Sunday for a thorough deep cleaning and sanitization, but reopened on Monday.
5 business groups urge Ontario to halt commercial evictions during COVID-19 pandemic
Five businesses groups are calling on the Ontario government to impose a commercial eviction moratorium during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The groups make the request in an open letter to Premier Doug Ford today, saying urgent help is needed as the due date for June rent approaches.
The groups include the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, Ontario Chamber of Commerce, Ontario Restaurant Hotel & Motel Association, Restaurants Canada and the Retail Council of Canada.
Report put forward for Toronto to approve 25km of new bikeways
Toronto’s Ministry of Transportation is putting forward a report to City Council on Thursday asking for approval to install 25 kilometres of new bikeways, to improve residents ability to physical distance amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The ministry said it has the support of Toronto’s Medical Officer of Health and asks the installations be completed in Summer 2020, which would see a total of almost 40 kilometres of on-street cycling infrastructure approved for this year.
Hospitals to temporarily manage 2 Ontario long-term care homes
The Ontario government says they have appointed two local hospitals to temporarily manage two long-term care homes in the province for 90 days amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Downsview Long Term Care in Toronto will be managed by Humber River Hospital, and River Glen Haven Nursing Home in Sutton, Ont., will be managed by Southlake Regional Health Centre.
The powers under a new mandatory emergency order made on May 12, allow the Ministry of Long-Term Care to temporarily replace management at some long-term care homes struggling to contain COVID-19 outbreaks.
“Despite receiving hospital support for weeks, these homes have been unable to contain the spread of COVID-19,” the government said in a statement.
Ontario used auto dealers expect tough year ahead due to COVID-19 pandemic
A new survey of Ontario used auto dealerships shows the market is already under pressure with more pain likely to come.
The survey conducted by DesRosiers Automotive Consultants Inc. and the Used Car Dealers Association of Ontario found that almost a third of dealers saw prices decline between 11 and 20 per cent from March to April, while more than 15 per cent perceive prices down at least 21 per cent.
—With files from The Canadian Press
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