City of Toronto update on COVID-19

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

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 5,796 cases of COVID-19 in Toronto. Cases include 5,230 confirmed cases and 566 probable cases. There are 350 cases hospitalized, with 112 in intensive care units. We continue to see COVID-19 deaths; to date, 394 people in Toronto have died from COVID-19. Case status data can be found on the City’s reporting platform at https://www.toronto.ca/home/covid-19/covid-19-latest-city-of-toronto-news/covid-19-status-of-cases-in-toronto/.

Yesterday, during a process improvement review, Toronto Public Health learned that contact tracking for 52 positive COVID-19 lab reports was not conducted between March 31 and April 6. Dr. de Villa assured residents that all 52 individuals were aware of their positive diagnosis at the time and appropriately isolated. As such, there is no increased risk to the community and population. Upon learning of this matter, Toronto Public Health took immediate action to correct the situation and investigate how this occurred to ensure it does not happen again.

Dr. de Villa also warned that there may be people calling residents in our community who are falsely claiming to be Toronto Public Health staff. In one instance, the individual was asked to provide their banking information and their social insurance number. Dr. de Villa stressed that Toronto Public Health would never request this information because it is not relevant to public health work. Anyone who receives a suspicious call requesting financial information should not give out any personal information and call the Toronto Police Service non-emergency line at 416-808-2222. Anyone with questions about public health operations can contact Toronto Public Health at 416-338-7600.

As nicer weather approaches, the City wants to leave parks open for residents to enjoy for respite, serenity and as an escape to nature and green space in our city. However, at this time, the park is not meant to be a destination and all park amenities remain closed.

Residents may walk, run or bike through park and ravine green spaces, beaches, trails and boardwalks. Dogs can continue to be walked on-leash. Fishing (with a licence), boating, kayaking and canoeing is also permitted.

Enforcement of the City’s physical distancing bylaw and the Province’s Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act orders is ongoing. Yesterday, the City received 279 complaints involving people using outdoor amenities or not practising physical distancing in parks. Bylaw and police officers issued five tickets – bringing the total number of tickets issued since April 3 to 587. Bylaw and police officers have spoken to more than 13,000 people in City parks about the closures and public health measures.

The City also received 35 complaints yesterday related to non-essential businesses remaining open. Since March 24, Municipal Licensing & Standards and Toronto Public Health have issued 95 tickets and 200 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 https://www.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 http://www.toronto.ca or follow us on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/CityofToronto, on Instagram at http://www.instagram.com/cityofto or on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/cityofto.

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