News Release
May 8, 2020

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, today, provided an update on the City’s continuing response to COVID-19.

As of yesterday afternoon, there are 7,114 cases of COVID-19 in Toronto, including 4,717 recovered cases and180 new COVID-19 cases. We continue to see COVID-19 deaths; as of yesterday, 532 people in Toronto have died from COVID-19. Case status data can be found on the City’s reporting platform at toronto.ca/home/covid-19/covid-19-latest-city-of-toronto-news/covid-19-status-of-cases-in-toronto.

Dr. de Villa reminded all residents that the best way to protect yourself against COVID-19 is washing your hands frequently, avoiding touching your face as much as possible, and maintaining a physical distance of two metres from others. In a retail environment where physical distancing cannot be maintained and individuals are in close contact, a cloth mask or face covering is strongly recommended to keep germs from spreading to others.

Enforcement of the City’s physical distancing bylaw and the Province’s Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act orders is ongoing. Yesterday, the City received 103 complaints involving people using outdoor amenities or not practising physical distancing in parks or squares. Bylaw and police officers issued four tickets – bringing the total number of tickets issued since May 1 to 36 tickets. This month, bylaw and police officers have spoken to more than 1,800 people in City parks about the closures and public health measures.

Enforcement officers continue to encounter individuals with off-leash dogs in parks. Off-leash dog parks are a park amenity that are closed by provincial order. Dog owners are reminded that dogs should be kept on-leash at all times until off-leash areas reopen.

The City also received 15 complaints yesterday related to non-essential businesses remaining open. No tickets were issued to non-essential businesses yesterday. Since March 24, 127 tickets and 247 notices have been issued to non-essential businesses.

The City’s website is updated daily with the latest health advice and information about City services, social supports and economic recovery measures. Check 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 toronto.ca or follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/CityofToronto, on Instagram at instagram.com/cityofto or on Facebook at facebook.com/cityofto.

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