News Release
May 28, 2020

The City of Toronto continues to respond to COVID-19. Residents are reminded of the importance of adhering to public health advice to wash their hands often, stay within their household bubble and practise physical distancing, or wear a face covering or non-medical mask to protect others when in settings where physical distancing cannot be maintained.

There are 10,726 cases of COVID-19 in the city, an increase of 201 cases since yesterday. There are 367 cases in hospital, with 82 in ICU. In total, 7,944 people have recovered from COVID-19, an increase of 130 cases since yesterday. To date, there have been 800 COVID-19 deaths in Toronto.

Yesterday, the City released geographic information on COVID-19 cases in Toronto to help fight the spread of this virus in the city. Case status data and geographic maps 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.

The COVID-19 enforcement team continues to respond to complaints and proactively patrol parks and other public spaces, in an effort to ensure public understanding of the need to maintain physical distancing. Ensuring compliance through education and awareness remains the preferred method of engagement, but enforcement continues to take place as necessary.

Yesterday, the City received 109 complaints involving people using outdoor amenities that remain closed or not practising physical distancing in parks or squares. Police and bylaw officers issued 10 tickets. Enforcement officers have spoken to nearly 6,200 people in City parks about the closures and public health measures. The City also received 64 complaints about gatherings and police issued two gathering-related tickets.

This morning, the City of Toronto began adding painted circles on the grass in Trinity Bellwoods Park as a pilot project to encourage people to practise physical distancing. When visiting the park, people can expect to see grids of painted circles roughly 8 feet in diameter and 10 feet apart. Each circle is large enough for two adults laying down or three adults sitting cross-legged.

Known as physical distancing circles, the City’s pilot follows recent and well-received examples from other prominent cities including San Francisco and New York. The circles painted on the grass will be piloted in Trinity Bellwoods Park and can fit two to three people, all from the same household. If a park is crowded when residents arrive and if no circles are available, they should instead visit a different park or come back later.

If the pilot is effective and successful in helping people to maintain physical distancing while at the park, the City will add paint circles in other popular destinations or high-traffic parks.

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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