Here is a roundup of the latest developments on the coronavirus pandemic in the Greater Toronto Area for Tuesday:
292 new coronavirus cases, 32 deaths in Ontario as total cases reach 26,483
Ontario reported 292 new cases of the novel coronavirus on Wednesday, the second day in a row with a new daily case number in the 200s.
The provincial total now sits at 26,483 cases.
Ontario’s death toll has risen to 2,155, as 32 more deaths were reported.
Meanwhile, 20,372 people have recovered from COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus, which is almost 77 per cent of cases.
The Greater Toronto Area public health units account for 65 per cent of all cases.
Status of COVID-19 cases in Toronto
According to the most recent data on the Toronto Public Health (TPH) website Wednesday evening, there were 1,931 active cases and 7,814 resolved cases of COVID-19. TPH also reported 780 people died after contracting the virus.
Of the 356 residents currently in hospital, 84 were being treated in ICU.
Premier Ford says Ontario to take over 5 more long-term care homes in GTA
Premier Doug Ford said the Ontario government will take over five more long-term care homes around the Greater Toronto Area amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The government already put two other homes under hospital care on Monday. Downsview Long Term Care in Toronto is now managed by Humber River Hospital, and River Glen Haven Nursing Home in Sutton is managed by Southlake Regional Health Centre.
The five new homes include Eatonville Care Centre, Hawthorne Place Care Centre, Altamont Care Community, Orchard Villa, as well as Camilla Care Community.
The latter home was not in the military report, but has had 61 residents die of the virus since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic.
Ontario extends current emergency orders until June 9
The Ontario government says it is extending all current emergency orders until June 9 amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Current emergency orders include the closure of playgrounds, play structures and equipment, public swimming pools and outdoor water facilities. It also includes bars and restaurants, which are closed except for takeout and delivery.
The government said that under the emergency order, there continue to be restrictions on social gatherings of more than five people.
Staff redeployment rules remain in place for long-term care homes and other congregate settings such as retirement homes and women’s shelters.
Brampton looking to give residents COVID-19 case hotspot information
Brown said he’s spoken to public health officials, including Dr. Lawrence Loh, Peel Region’s interim chief medical officer of health, in gathering that data that could tell residents in Brampton where the virus is most prevalent.
“We have their commitment to make that data available as soon as possible so residents know where there are areas of greater concern and areas where the virus seems to be circulating in the community at a greater rate,” Brown said.
ActiveTO program sees closures for 3rd weekend in a row to promote social distancing
The City will be enacting other road closures for the third weekend in a row to promote physical distancing amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The closures are a part of the ActiveTO program, aimed at allowing people who are walking, running, and cycling to get around the city while still having enough space between each other.
Beginning at 6 a.m. Saturday, parts of Lake Shore Boulevard East from Coxwell Avenue to justnsouth of Woodbine Avenue and Bayview Avenue from Mill Street to Rosedale Valley Road, and River Street from Gerrard Street East to Bayview Avenuewill be closed to all vehicle traffic.
The closures will remain in place until 11 p.m. Sunday.
City of Toronto opens 8th child care centre for essential workers
The City of Toronto announced on Wednesday that it has opened its eighth child-care centre for essential workers.
The new centre is located at Blake Street Early Learning & Child Care Centre, 84 Blake St. in the East York community.
“I continue to be impressed with how quickly staff worked with our provincial partners to implement and expand emergency child care service for the frontline heroes doing vital work during this pandemic,” Mayor John Tory said in a release Wednesday.
“The infection prevention protocols we have in place in our emergency child care centres not only protect children, their families and staff, but will help us in the future when we are ready to open our child care system again.”
A list of eligible workers for emergency child care can be found here.
Mississauga cancels public events until September
Mississauga announced on Wednesday it has cancelled all events at City facilities until Sept. 7.
“We continue to work to protect our City while taking a slow and measured approach to re-opening our parks facilities,” said Mayor Bonnie Crombie in a press release Wednesday. “We also made the tough decision today to cancel major festivals and large events at City facilities and parks for the rest of the summer in an effort to prevent further spread.
“We once again thank residents and businesses for their patience and understanding as we navigate re-opening and recovery.”
Ontario’s regulated, non-essential medical professionals can reopen if governing bodies approve
The Ontario government is allowing the province’s regulated health professionals to reopen their offices amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, but only if each profession gets the go-ahead and receives guidelines from each respective governing authority.
A spokesperson for Ontario Health Minister Christine Elliott said the government changed its directive restricting non-essential and elective health services put in place more than two months ago as part of a “gradual restart.”
“Health regulatory colleges are now in the process of developing guidance to ensure high-quality and safe clinical care that must be met before services can resume,” Hayley Chazan said in a statement Wednesday afternoon.
READ MORE: Ontario’s regulated health professionals can reopen if approved by governing bodies
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