News Release
April 4, 2020

The City of Toronto continues to respond to the COVID-19 emergency. As of today, the City’s Emergency Operations Centre has been mobilized for 25 days, working with Toronto Public Health, City divisions, and emergency responders to slow the spread of the virus and keep our community safe and healthy.

Toronto Public Health is reporting there are now 1026 cases of COVID-19 in Toronto, an increase of 101 cases from yesterday. Of the cases, 823 cases are confirmed and 203 are probable, 66 cases have recovered, 125 are in hospital with 53 in ICU. In Toronto, there have been 25 deaths to-date. Community spread is responsible for 27% of COVID-19 cases in the city. This data was extracted from the Integrated Public Health Information System at 12:30 p.m. The numbers may differ from other sources as data are extracted at different times.

311 continues to receive complaints about non-essential businesses remaining open and individuals gathering and not practising physical distancing, particularly in parks and green spaces. Since provincial orders under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act prohibiting gatherings and the City’s closure of park amenities including parking lots and playgrounds came into effect, 311 has received 1,409 complaints related to irresponsible or illegal behaviour in our parks.

This weekend, working with Toronto Police Service, Municipal Licensing & Standards bylaw enforcement officers and Parks, Forestry & Recreation staff are out in parks across the city providing public education and enforcing physical distancing. The enforcement blitz is targeting busy parks and the top 10 emerging problem areas. As of 1 p.m. this afternoon, enforcement teams had turned away more than 100 vehicles from Humber East and West Parks parking lots.

Since March 24, Municipal Licensing & Standards has responded to 407 complaints and issued 34 notices for failure to comply with the Province’s orders under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act. Toronto Police Services has issued tickets to 21 people for non-compliance, summonses to two businesses, and nine notices for failure to comply with provincial orders.

Toronto Public Health has, since March 24, attended 409 bars and restaurants that were identified as non-compliant. Of the bars and restaurants, 162 were closed and 18 warning letters were issued for premises non-complaint with the dine-in prohibition. Toronto Public Health has also attended 109 Personal Service Settings (nail salons, hair dressers, etc.), closing 105 and issuing four warning letters.

The City’s website is updated daily with the latest health advice, and information about City services and social supports. Check https://www.toronto.ca/covid-19/ for answers to common questions before contacting the Toronto Public Health COVID-19 Hotline or 311.

Toronto is home to more than 2.9 million people whose diversity and experiences make this great city Canada’s leading economic engine and one of the world’s most diverse and livable cities. As the fourth largest city in North America, Toronto is a global leader in technology, finance, film, music, culture, and innovation, and consistently places at the top of international rankings due to investments championed by its government, residents and businesses. For more information visit http://www.toronto.ca or follow us on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/CityofToronto, on Instagram at http://www.instagram.com/cityofto or on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/cityofto.

Media Relations