Coronavirus: Latest developments in the Greater Toronto Area on Dec. 8

Here are the latest developments on the coronavirus pandemic in the Greater Toronto Area for Tuesday:

Marc Garneau Collegiate Institute in Toronto closing for public health investigation

The Toronto District School Board announced that Marc Garneau Collegiate Institute will be temporarily closing as of Wednesday for a Toronto Public Health investigation into 14 student COVID-19 cases.

The school was set to start voluntary asymptomatic testing on Dec. 10, but a Toronto District School Board spokesperson said that will be delayed.

The school is expected to be closed until at least Dec. 18.

Voluntary asymptomatic testing completed at some TDSB schools, more to be tested

The Toronto District School Board says four schools in the city have completed voluntary asymptomatic testing for COVID-19 as part of a pilot project.

Thorncliffe Park PS, Valley Park MS, Lawrence Park CI and Lester B Pearson have finished with testing, the TDSB said.

Testing at Marc Garneau CI is being conducted on Dec. 10, 11 and 14, the school board said.

TDSB spokesperson Ryan Bird told Global News the board is currently looking at four more school being added in the days ahead. The exact schools have not yet been confirmed.

6 students from a Toronto French-Catholic high school test positive

Six students at École secondaire catholique Père-Philippe-Lamarche, located on Eglinton Avenue East just west of McCowan Road, have tested positive for the virus so far over the last week.

School officials said three cases were first reported on Dec. 3, with three more cases over the last day. Four high school classes have been sent home.

No teachers have tested positive and classes at the high school are on a tiered learning system which includes virtual learning.

York Region hospitals at ‘tipping point,’ CEOs say

The CEOs of three York Region hospitals are urging the public to follow COVID-19 restrictions rules as the hospitals are at a “tipping point” managing an increase in COVID-19 patients over the last week.

A statement from the CEOs of Mackenzie Health, Markham Stouffville Hospital and Southlake Regional Health Centre said they are concerned that the strain the hospitals are under could impact access to healthcare, such as scheduled surgeries.

The CEOs reiterated the importance of wearing a mask and keeping socially distant while on essential trips. They also encouraged people to not attend social gatherings.

“While we have seen a strong collaboration amongst health care organizations across York Region to help prepare for and manage the second wave of COVID-19 thus far, what we need more than ever is support from our communities to be vigilant in following Public Health guidance aimed at slowing the spread,” the statement issued Tuesday afternoon said.

York Region’s medical officer of health, Dr. Karim Kurji, said on Tuesday that the region should be moving from the red zone into a lockdown based on current COVID-19 numbers, but that the final decision comes from the province.

Ontario to issue proof of COVID-19 vaccination, health minister says

Ontario’s health minister says residents who get a COVID-19 vaccine will be issued proof they received a shot which may be necessary to avoid some restrictions.

Christine Elliott said Tuesday it may be required to access certain settings after the worst of the pandemic passes.

0:44 Christine Elliott answers question regarding proof of COVID-19 vaccination

Ontario’s unspent pandemic reserves grew to $12 billion by end of September: FAO

Ontario’s fiscal watchdog says the province had $12 billion in unspent reserve funds by the end of September.

The Financial Accountability Officer says in a report Tuesday that the money was earmarked for three contingency funds, including two related to pandemic spending.

Status of cases in the GTA

Ontario reported a total of 1,676 new coronavirus cases on Tuesday.

Of those:

• 588 were in Toronto
• 349 were in Peel Region
• 141 were in York Region
• 76 were in Durham Region
• 66 were in Halton Region

Ontario reports 1,676 new coronavirus cases, hospitalizations near 800

Ontario reported 1,676 new cases of coronavirus on Tuesday, bringing the provincial total to 130,910.

The death toll in the province has risen to 3,808 as 10 more deaths were reported.

The government said 39,198 tests were processed in the last 24 hours. Resolved cases increased by 1,549 from the previous day.

Ontario long-term care homes

According to the Ministry of Long-Term Care, there have been 2,326 deaths reported among residents and patients in long-term care homes across Ontario which is an increase of 21 deaths.

There are 116 current outbreaks in homes, an increase of three from the previous day.

Ontario child care centres and schools

Government figures show there have been a total of 5,736 school-related COVID-19 cases in Ontario — 3,813 among students and 835 among staff (1,088 individuals were not identified). This is an increase of 333 more cases over a three-day period.

There have been a total of 944 confirmed cases within child care centres and homes — an increase of 51 (21 child cases and 30 staff cases.)

— With files from The Canadian Press