Mayor John Tory, Medical Officer of Health Dr. Eileen de Villa, and Fire Chief and General Manager of the Office of Emergency Management Matthew Pegg provided an update on the City’s continuing response to COVID-19 today.
Toronto Public Health is reporting there are now 2,670 cases of COVID-19 in Toronto. Of the cases, 2,369 cases are confirmed and 301 are probable, 243 are in hospital with 94 in ICU. In Toronto, there have been 121 deaths to-date. This data was extracted from the Integrated Public Health Information System. The numbers may differ from other sources as data are extracted at different times.
The City continues to focus on stricter enforcement, monitoring popular parks across the city and issuing tickets to individuals and groups using closed park amenities and not practising physical distancing. The COVID-19 Enforcement Team continues to observe prohibited activities, including permit holders ignoring “closed” signage at allotment gardens, dogs off leash at High Park and gatherings at Barbara Hall Park.
Any two or more people who are not members of the same household, and who fail to keep at least two metres of distance between them in a park or public square, can receive a $1,000 ticket – which is the applicable set fine for the City’s Physical Distancing Bylaw. In addition, failing to identify oneself to an officer investigating a matter under the Emergency Measures and Civil Protection Act carries a set fine of $750.
Yesterday, the City received 396 complaints involving people using amenities or not practising physical distancing in parks. Bylaw and police officers cautioned 470 individuals regarding the closure of park amenities and physical distancing, and issued 35 tickets – bringing the total to 252 tickets since April 3. The City received 49 complaints yesterday related to non-essential businesses remaining open in contravention of the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act. Since March 24, Municipal Licensing and Standards has issued 12 tickets, 12 summons and 70 notices to non-essential businesses.
The response to the current COVID-19 pandemic has been dynamic and based on the best advice from public health experts. New legislation and bylaws have been put in place, which have not existed in the past. This advice has been clear and consistent: To stop the community spread of this deadly virus, we must reduce all contact with others as much as possible by staying home, except for essential outings.
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.
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