News Release
April 27, 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 Toronto moves into week seven of this pandemic, officials are seeing promising signs that public health measures are working. Dr. de Villa stressed the need to continue to practise social distancing and only leave the house for essential reasons, noting restrictions will be eased sooner if people continue to heed public health advice. Dr. de Villa shared five practices that can promote mental health and resilience for the duration of our local pandemic outbreak:
1. Connect with others
2. Be active
3. Keep learning
4. Be mindful
5. Give back

More advice and information on mental health supports is available at toronto.ca/home/covid-19/covid-19-protect-yourself-others/covid-19-mental-health-resources.

As of this afternoon, there are 4,973 cases of COVID-19 in Toronto. Cases include 4,493 confirmed cases and 480 probable cases. There are 308 cases hospitalized, with 104 in intensive care units. We continue to see COVID-19 deaths; to date 297 people in Toronto have died from COVID-19. Today, Dr. de Villa reported 2,670 people have now recovered from COVID-19 in the city. 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.

Chief Pegg acknowledged the important role of 311 in helping residents navigate the City’s COVID-19 response. Over the weekend, 311 received and processed 3,427 calls. The service performance target for 311 is to answer incoming calls within 75 seconds or less, no less than 80% of the time. The average length of time required for 311 to answer incoming calls was 76 seconds on Saturday and only 53 seconds on Sunday. Most incoming calls were wildlife concerns, solid waste collection questions, and questions about City services during COVID-19.

Enforcement of the City’s physical distancing bylaw and the Province’s Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act orders is ongoing. Yesterday, 311 also received 40 complaints involving people using outdoor amenities or not practising physical distancing in parks. Bylaw and police officers issued three tickets – bringing the total number of tickets issued since April 3 to 536. Bylaw and police officers have spoken to more than 11,500 people in City parks about the closures and public health measures.

The City also received 46 complaints yesterday related to non-essential businesses remaining open. Since March 24, Municipal Licensing & Standards and Toronto Public Health have issued 76 tickets and 159 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.

Quote:

“As we move into week seven of this pandemic, I know people want this pandemic to be over as soon as possible. But I also know you want this to be over safely. I want us to protect the health of each and every resident and save as many lives as we can. That’s why we took decisive action last month and why, unfortunately, these restrictions will have to last longer than anyone would like. We have made progress and your actions have saved lives. Residents have responded magnificently staying home and distancing themselves in a way that has saved lives. Please stay the course. It is working.”
– Mayor John Tory

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.

Media Relations