Coronavirus: Latest developments in the Greater Toronto Area on Feb. 3

Here are the latest developments on the coronavirus pandemic in the Greater Toronto Area for Wednesday.

Schools in Toronto, Peel and York regions last for return to in-person learning

The Ontario government has announced that Toronto as well as Peel and York Regions, regions which have been hit hard by coronavirus case totals, will be last to return to the classroom under the province’s elementary and secondary school reopening plan.

School boards in the three regions will reopen facilities for students on Feb. 16.

Meanwhile, students in the Brant, Chatham-Kent, Durham, Haldimand-Norfolk, Halton, Hamilton, Huron-Perth, Lambton, Niagara, Simcoe-Muskoka, Waterloo, Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph and Windsor-Essex regions will be back in class on Monday.

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City of Toronto extends mask bylaw

Toronto city council has extended the City’s mask bylaw until June 8 and 9 when the legislative body meets for that month’s session.

The bylaw, which initially came into force on June 7, was set to expire on Wednesday.

According to the City of Toronto, all people in indoor settings are required to wear a mask except for children under the age of two, people with certain medical conditions and staff in certain private areas or areas shielded by a physical barrier. Residents aren’t required to show proof if they require a medical exemption.

Status of cases in the GTA

Ontario reported a total of 1,172 new cases on Wednesday.

Of those:

• 444 were in Toronto
• 199 were in Peel Region
• 110 were in York Region
• 42 were in Durham Region
• 24 were in Halton Region

2:55 Coffee shops battle to stay in business as Ontario residents told to stay home

Ontario reports 1,172 new coronavirus cases, 67 more deaths

Ontario is reporting 1,172 new cases of the coronavirus on Wednesday, bringing the provincial total to 272,097.

The daily case total comes amid the provincial government and Toronto Public Health’s migration and reconciling of data, which has been impacting daily counts for several days.

The death toll in the province has risen to 6,305 as 67 more deaths were reported.

Resolved cases increased by 1,745 from the previous day. The government said 52,418 tests were processed in the last 24 hours.

Cases, deaths and outbreaks in Ontario long-term care homes

According to the Ministry of Long-Term Care, there have been 3,601 deaths reported among residents and patients in long-term care homes across Ontario which is an increase of 23 deaths. Eleven virus-related deaths in total have been reported among staff.

There are 216 current outbreaks in homes, which is a decrease of eight from the previous day.

The ministry also indicated there are currently 763 active cases among long-term care residents and 801 active cases among staff — down by 92 cases and down by 37 cases, respectively, in the last day.