The City of Toronto continues to respond to COVID-19. Today, the Province of Ontario declared a provincial emergency and announced that the entire province will be subject to a Stay-at-Home order as of 12:01 a.m. tomorrow, Thursday, April 8.
All of Ontario, including Toronto, has been in the Shutdown Zone of the provincial COVID-19 response framework since April 3. Yesterday, the Medical Officer of Health also issued a Section 22 order under the Health Protection and Promotion Act to move all Toronto schools to remote learning until April 18.
The Province’s announcement of a Stay-at-Home order today is a clear message that all people need to stay home as much as possible to stop the latest wave of COVID-19 at risk of overwhelming the healthcare system. More information on the provincial Stay-at-Home order is available in the Province’s news release, Ontario Enacts Provincial Emergency and Stay-at-Home Order.
Since the start of the pandemic there have been a total of 119,598 cases of COVID-19 in the city, an increase of 1,173 new cases today. There are 426 people hospitalized. To date, there have been 2,831 COVID-19 deaths in Toronto. In total, 107,094 people have recovered. Case status data can be found on the Toronto Public Health’s reporting dashboard.
The City will review the new Stay-at-Home order once the regulations are received from the Province and update the online COVID-19: Guide for Toronto Residents with recommended and mandatory public health measures under provincial regulations and City bylaws. The guide will be updated with information of what is and is not permitted in the Shutdown Zone while subject to the new Stay-at-Home order.
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.