Here are the latest developments on the coronavirus pandemic in the Greater Toronto Area for Thursday:
Status of cases in Toronto
Toronto Public Health is reporting a total of 23,572 coronavirus cases in the city, which is up by 254.
A total of 19,835 people have recovered, while the city has recorded a total of 1,330 deaths.
There are 101 people in Toronto who are hospitalized with the virus.
Advocates win court battle against City of Toronto over shelters amid pandemic
Advocates have won a court battle against the City of Toronto over physical distancing in shelters amid the pandemic.
The City had initially reached a settlement with the advocates in May, but the group took the City back to court in July alleging the agreement had been breached.
A drop-in centre and other human rights organizations alleged that the city has not been following distancing rules in shelters.
On Thursday, a judge found that to be the case.
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TTC recalling rest of furloughed front-line employees
The TTC says it is recalling its remaining 179 furloughed front-line employees.
“Throughout the pandemic, we have continued to monitor ridership in real time and adjust service to meet demand,” TTC CEO Rick Leary said in a statement.
The transit agency said that 97 bus operators are among the 179 being recalled.
Daily boardings on buses are now at 50 per cent of pre-pandemic levels and are holding there, the TTC said.
York Region ‘teetering’ as it reports 127 new cases: Ford
Ontario Premier Doug Ford said Thursday that York Region is “teetering” after it reported 127 new coronavirus cases.
“It’s concerning,” Ford said.
The premier was asked whether or not the region may soon be moving to a modified Stage 2, and he said discussions are ongoing with the province’s health advisors.
“We’re keeping a very close eye on York right now,” he said.
Cinemas come up with unique ways to generate cash
Independent cinemas in Toronto and Ottawa are coming up with different ways to generate cash as COVID-19 restrictions force them to shut their doors for a second time since the pandemic began.
From offering patrons the chance to have their names grace cinema walls for a price, to selling concession stand staples at the front door, the theatres say they’re doing what they can to stay afloat.
Ontario fitness chains ask members from COVID-19 hotspots to not travel to other regions to workout
Prominent fitness chains in Ontario are asking for people residing in COVID-19 hotspots to stop travelling to other jurisdictions to workout.
The Ontario government moved Toronto, Peel and Ottawa back into modified versions of Stage 2 amid a rise in coronavirus cases, which meant gyms would be closed for 28 days effective last Saturday at 12:01 a.m.
Now, LA Fitness and Goodlife Fitness have released statements telling members from those three regions to not try to workout in other non-hotspot locations after multiple videos surfaced online of lineups outside certain locations.
Ontario reports 783 new coronavirus cases on Thursday
Ontario is reporting 783 new cases of coronavirus on Thursday, bringing the provincial total to 62,196.
According to Thursday’s provincial report, 239 new cases were recorded in Toronto, 136 in Peel Region, 127 in York Region, 89 in Ottawa, 40 in Durham Region and 28 in Halton Region. All other public health units in Ontario reported under 25 new cases.
Ontario Health Minister Christine Elliott said nearly 40,000 tests were processed in the last 24 hours. However, there is currently a backlog of 36,314 tests that need results.
The death toll in the province has risen to 3,022 as five new deaths were reported. Resolved cases increased by 779 from the previous day.
Ontario child care centres and schools
Meanwhile, government figures show there have been a total of 1,045 school-related COVID-19 cases in Ontario — 635 among students and 184 among staff (326 individuals were not identified). This is an increase of 109 more cases from the previous day.
In the last 14 days, the province indicates there are 399 cases reported among students and 99 cases among staff (188 individuals were not identified) — totaling 645 cases.
The COVID-19 cases are currently from 451 out of 4,828 schools in the province. Five schools in Ontario are currently closed as a result of positive cases, the government indicated.
There have been a total of 281 confirmed cases within child care centres and homes — an increase of 20 since the previous day (15 new child cases and five new staff cases).
Ontario long-term care homes
According to the Ministry of Long-Term Care, there have been 1,897 deaths reported among residents and patients in long-term care homes across Ontario, an increase of one death in 24 hours. Eight health-care workers and staff in long-term care homes have died.
There are 71 current outbreaks in homes, an increase of six.
The ministry also indicated there are currently 159 active cases among long-term care residents and 199 active cases among staff — up by 17 and 10 cases respectively in the last day.
— With files from The Canadian Press
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