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 this afternoon, there are 6,914 cases of COVID-19 in Toronto. There are 397 cases hospitalized, with 102 in intensive care units. A total of 4,364 people have recovered from this virus. We continue to see COVID-19 deaths; to date, 522 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.
Toronto Public Health is actively exploring ways to understand if COVID-19 is affecting certain groups in the community more so than others. The preliminary findings of the socio-demographic and ethno-racial data suggest that COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations have been more commonly reported in areas of the city which have a higher proportion of low-income earners and recent immigrants.
At today’s first virtual Board of Health meeting, there was unanimous approval of a motion for the Board to request provincial and federal support to advance the City’s important work on COVID-19 response and recovery, while continuing to address complex challenges, including housing affordability, access to social services and use of public space.
Last week, the Province of Ontario requested that the City begin expanded COVID-19 testing for child care workers, who are assigned to work in emergency child care centres. All City of Toronto emergency child care workers, including approximately 300 staff assigned to seven emergency child care centres, are in the process of being proactively tested for COVID-19. Staff at both the Jesse Ketchum and Falstaff Toronto Early and Child Care centres have already been sent for expedited testing.
As of this morning, 13 staff and seven children have tested positive at the Jesse Ketchum site. On April 29, the Jesse Ketchum site was closed for a two-week period and remains closed at this time. At the Falstaff site, one staff member has tested positive. There are no children showing any symptoms or signs of infection and as such, none are being tested at this point. The Falstaff location continues to operate. However, one room where this staff member worked has been closed until further notice. The remainder of the City’s emergency child care staff will complete their scheduled testing over the next week.
The COVID-19 Enforcement Team is continuing their important work across the city educating residents on the City’s physical distancing bylaw and the Emergency Measures and Civil Protection Act orders. Enforcement is ongoing, where necessary.
Yesterday, the City received 110 complaints involving people using outdoor amenities or not practising physical distancing in parks. Bylaw and police officers issued one ticket – bringing the total number of tickets issued to 625 since April 3. Bylaw and police officers have spoken to more than 14,300 people in City parks about the closures and public health measures.
The City also received 40 complaints yesterday related to non-essential businesses remaining open. Since March 24, Municipal Licensing & Standards and Toronto Public Health have issued 127 tickets and 241 notices 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.
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