Here is a roundup of the latest developments on the coronavirus pandemic in the Greater Toronto Area for Tuesday:
230 new COVID-19 cases, 14 new deaths in Ontario
Ontario reported 230 new cases of the novel coronavirus on Tuesday, bringing the provincial total to 31,090.
This is the second day in a row that new daily cases hit the 200 mark. Tuesday’s report marks an increase of 0.7 per cent in total cumulative cases.
The death toll in the province has risen to 2,464, as 14 more deaths were reported.
Meanwhile, 24,829 people have recovered from COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus, which is almost 80 per cent of cases.
Greater Toronto Area public health units account for 67 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 1,969 active cases and 9,907 resolved cases of COVID-19. TPH also reported 952 people died after contracting the virus.
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Of the 335 residents currently in hospital, 77 were being treated in ICU.
Ontario allows child-care centres to reopen Friday
The Ontario government announced that all child-care centres will be allowed to reopen Friday, under strict guidelines amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Minister of Education Stephen Lecce said the plan was made in consultation with public health officials.
The new protocols in place are as follows:
- Cohorting ― putting children and staff in groups of 10 or less day over day;
- COVID-19 response plan ― all child care settings will be required to have a plan in place if a child, parent or staff member/provider is exposed to COVID-19;
- Screening ― all staff and children must be screened prior to entry to the child care setting. Anyone feeling unwell must stay home;
- Daily attendance records ― child care settings must keep daily records of all attendees in order to support contact tracing;
- Cleaning ― child care settings must be thoroughly cleaned before opening and frequently thereafter;
- No visitors ― only essential visitors are permitted entry into the child care setting;
- Implementing drop-off and pick-up protocols in a way that facilitates physical distancing.
‘No evidence’ of increased COVID-19 cases linked to Trinity Bellwoods, Toronto Public Health says
Toronto Public Health says there has been “no evidence of increased COVID-19 activity that can be linked to the gathering in Trinity Bellwoods Park on May 23.”
The health unit made the statement on Twitter in response to a user who asked if there was any spike in virus cases associated with the park and the congregation more than two weeks ago.
“However, COVID-19 continues to circulate in Toronto and over 65 per cent of cases reported since that day are from a close contact,” Toronto Public Health said.
Activists set up website to report COVID violations in Toronto shelters
A coalition of activist groups wants to hear if Toronto is failing to do what it should for homeless people during the COVID-19 pandemic.
To that end, they have set up a website that allows anonymous reports.
The city last month agreed to implement physical-distancing standards and other measures in its shelters.
The commitment followed a lawsuit on behalf of the homeless.
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