The City of Toronto continues to respond to COVID-19. Today, Mayor John Tory, Medical Officer of Health Dr. Eileen de Villa and Toronto Fire Chief and General Manager of the Office of Emergency Management Matthew Pegg, provided an update on the City’s measures to combat the resurgence of the virus in Toronto.
There are 46,619 cases of COVID-19 in the city, an increase of 553 new cases today. There are 220 people hospitalized. To date, there have been 1,684 COVID-19 deaths in Toronto. In total, 39,584 people have recovered from COVID-19. Case status data can be found on the City’s reporting platform.
Toronto Public Health has now added per cent positivity of COVID-19 by age group to the reporting platform. Per cent positivity measures the proportion of individuals testing positive for COVID-19 out of the total number who have been tested. In this data, per cent positivity is highest in the category of young people aged 14 to 17 – 11.6 per cent for the week of November 22. That is more than two per cent higher than the per cent positivity for the next highest group, 18- to 23-year-olds, at 9 per cent positivity.
This week, Mayor Tory once again encouraged a strong show of support for local businesses, urging all residents, who are able to, to participate in “Take Out Wednesday.” Ordering take-out or delivery supports local restaurants that have shifted their business and are working to help stop the spread of COVID-19. The Mayor continues to stress the number of jobs and businesses that can be sustained by placing orders for take-out and delivery.
All people in Toronto should be adopting steps for self-protection. Individuals should only consider leaving their homes for essential activities such as work, education and fresh air and exercise. As much as possible, residents are asked to limit contact to people in the same household, keep at least six feet apart from people not in the same household and wear a mask when outside of their homes, especially in indoor settings and when physical distancing is difficult. Residents should wash hands frequently and remain at home when ill.
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 the City’s website or follow us on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook.