Here are the latest developments on the coronavirus pandemic in the Greater Toronto Area for Wednesday.
Scarborough long-term care home in midst of severe COVID-19 outbreak
A Scarborough long-term care home is in the midst of a severe coronavirus outbreak.
According to figures from the Ministry of Long-Term Care, there have been 118 resident cases, 47 staff cases and 21 resident deaths at Tendercare Living Centre, located in the area of Victoria Park and McNicoll avenues.
A spokesperson from the Ministry of Long-Term Care told Global News that the Scarborough Health Network has been assisting at the home since Dec. 14.
North York General Hospital told Global News it was asked by the ministry earlier this week to take over management of the home.
11 Mississauga Fire and Emergency Services employees test positive for coronavirus
The City of Mississauga says 11 fire services employees have tested positive for coronavirus.
According to a statement issued by the municipality Wednesday evening, 36 staff are in self-isolation as a result of the positive tests.
The employees work at four fire stations.
“The City’s fire stations are not open to the public and firefighters who respond to calls are in full personal protective equipment for their own protection and the safety of the public,” the statement said.
“The City of Mississauga has been coordinating with Peel Public Health to notify impacted personnel and ensure isolation and testing protocols are being followed.”
Toronto police to apply ‘high level of discretion’ when handing out parking tickets
Toronto police say they will have a “high level of discretion” while handing out parking tickets as a result of the holiday season and provincial coronavirus lockdown.
Police said they will focus on offences that cause safety concerns, disrupt snow removal or cause “significant disruptions” in traffic flow.
Humber River Hospital administers first vaccine shots
Humber River Hospital has administered its first COVID-19 vaccine shots.
In a tweet, the hospital said its first shot of the Pfizer vaccine was given to a personal support worker from a long-term care home.
Moderna vaccine approved
Canada approved Moderna’s coronavirus vaccine Wednesday, making it the second shot officially to roll out in the country.
Officials have said they expect doses of the Moderna vaccine to arrive in Canada within 48 hours of approval. The government has inked a deal to get 168,000 doses of the vaccine by the end of December.
Status of cases in the GTA
Ontario reported a total of 2,408 new cases on Wednesday:
Of those:
- 629 were in Toronto
- 448 were in Peel Region
- 190 were in York Region
- 136 were in Durham Region
- 88 were in Halton Region
Ontario reports more than 2,400 new cases, 41 additional deaths
Ontario reported 2,408 new cases of the novel coronavirus Wednesday, bringing the total number of cases in the province to 162,663.
Wednesday’s report marks Ontario’s second-largest single-day increase in cases to date.
Forty-one new deaths were also reported, bringing the provincial death toll to 4,229.
Ministry of Long-Term Care reports 18 more deaths
According to the Ministry of Long-Term Care, there have been 2,555 deaths reported among residents and patients in long-term care homes across Ontario, which is an increase of 18.
There are currently 161 outbreaks in long-term care homes.
— With files from Katie Dangerfield
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