Here are the latest developments on the COVID-19 pandemic in the Greater Toronto Area for Friday:
Toronto police lay 230 charges in 1st week of enforcement on gatherings
Toronto police say its dedicated enforcement teams have laid 230 charges under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act in its first week.
Police said the teams were focused on large indoor events being held at short-term rentals, as well as events in closed bars and restaurants.
Officers responded to 315 incidents since April 22, including 105 calls for gatherings since Monday. Police said downtown Toronto remains the highest call area.
“The pandemic presents both public health and public safety risks. We have an enforcement team in every division across the city and officers are dispersing large gatherings daily and laying charges against those who are ignoring the emergency order,” said Inspt. Matt Moyer.
Ontario is currently under a provincewide stay-at-home order.
Ontario long-term care commission says nursing homes were neglected, sector needs reform
Ontario’s neglected long-term care sector needs sweeping reforms to protect its vulnerable residents, an independent commission has found, pointing the finger in a scathing report at governments past and present for thousands of COVID-19 deaths at the province’s nursing homes.
Despite numerous past reviews, commissions and inquiries recommending improvements, the sector was completely unprepared for the pandemic, the Long-Term Care COVID-19 Commission said in a 322-page report delivered to the provincial government on Friday night.
Ontario government asks for mandatory 3-day hotel quarantines at land crossings
Ontario is asking the federal government to impose mandatory three-day quarantines in hotels for travellers entering Canada at land crossings.
Health Minister Christine Elliott and Solicitor General Sylvia Jones made the request in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19 in the province.
All Ontario education workers to be eligible for COVID-19 vaccine as early as next week
All education workers in Ontario will soon be eligible to book an appointment to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, the government says.
Education Minister Stephen Lecce said in a statement Friday that education workers across the province will be eligible as early as the week of May 3.
“With education staff eligible starting next week, and licensed child care settings currently eligible, we are building momentum to defeat this pandemic,” Lecce said.
“With more stable vaccine supply, we are ensuring every front-line worker in our schools and child care settings can get vaccinated. We are incredibly grateful for their hard work and dedication to Ontario youth.”
Feds ‘happy to work’ with Ontario after request to halt arrival of international students
Canada may consider halting the arrival of international students in Ontario, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said following a request from Ontario Premier Doug Ford.
During a press conference Friday, Trudeau acknowledged Ford’s request to suspend the arrival of international students to the province and confirmed they’ll be “reaching out to their officials today to formalize that request.”
Ontario reports 3,887 new COVID-19 cases, 21 deaths
Ontario is reporting 3,887 new COVID-19 cases on Friday. The provincial total now stands at 463,364.
Friday’s case count is higher than Thursday’s 3,871 and Wednesday’s which saw 3,480 new infections but is the sixth day in a row cases have been lower than 4,000.
The death toll in the province has risen to 8,050 as 21 more deaths were recorded.
Ontario reported 2,201 people are hospitalized with COVID-19 (down by 47) with 883 patients in intensive care units (down by one) and 632 patients in ICUs on a ventilator (up by 12).
Status of cases in the GTA
Ontario reported 3,887 new COVID-19 cases on Friday.
Of those:
- 1,331 were in Toronto
- 871 were in Peel Region
- 267 were in York Region
- 208 were in Durham Region
- 123 were in Halton Region
More than 112K vaccines administered in Ontario
As of 8 p.m. Thursday, 5,139,984 COVID-19 vaccine doses had been administered in Ontario, marking an increase of 112,214.
So far, 371,110 people in the province are considered to be fully vaccinated.
—With files from Twinkle Ghosh and The Canadian Press
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