April 18, 2020

FEDERAL

· Canada-U.S. Border closure has been extended for another 30 days. Non-essential travel will continue to be restricted

· Prime Minister Trudeau announced financial help for the energy sector (in various provinces), those who work in the arts, culture and sports sectors and small businesses:

o Energy sector assistance:

§ $1.7 billion to clean up abandoned and orphaned wells in Alberta, Saskatchewan and B.C. to help landowners, create immediate jobs and help meet national environmental targets of net zero emissions

§ $750 million to reduce emissions (especially methane), invest in technologies and protect jobs

o Small Businesses assistance:

§ $962 million to regional development agencies and the community futures network

o Arts, Culture and Sports sector assistance:

§ $500 million to Canadian Heritage to support those who work in this sector for wage support and cash flow financing

· Minister Bains announced $250 million for the industrial assistance program to protect Canada’s highly skilled innovators. Interested parties can go on National Research Council’s website to sign up to be notified when funding applications open up next week

· To date, 7.5 million claims have been paid through CERB

o Latest information on the CERB will be updated three times a week on the Open Data Portal

o Note: those who applied for the CERB and did not meet qualifications, but received money may be asked to pay back through taxes next year

· Today marks the 38th anniversary of Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms

· Prime Minister looking to have virtual parliament to enable MPs to participate without traveling

· When considering reopening the Canadian economy and relaunching certain sectors, each province will be different (taking a regional approach), but coordinated.

· Heritage Minister announced Canada Day celebrations will be virtual this year

· Canadian Armed Forces’ will respond to COVID-19 pandemic in Quebec long-term care facilities

PROVINCIAL

Provincial supports and orders:

· The province expanded its list of essential workers eligible to receive emergency child care

· Uber is providing $6 million to Sick Kids hospital, Daily bread food bank and Trillium Health partners and many more; these funds will help provide free meals to front-line workers and other families in need; Bell Canada donating 375,000 face masks to our health care and front-line workers and $5 million commitment to mental health supports

· Minimum wage for grocery workers will remain unchanged; currently they are receiving above minimum wage

· The province has issued new temporary emergency orders under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act to protect vulnerable people from COVID-19

Education:

· The province has partnered with Rogers Communications and Apple to offer iPads that are being distributed by Ontario school boards to students in need. These students will be able to access the resources on the learn at home portal

· No decision as of yet with a return back to school date. Building a plan for the current school year and ensure students graduate; opening of schools before June is not determined as of yet, it will be based on health and science

Data:

· 564 new cases of COVID-19, along with 55 new deaths, the highest daily case increase and death toll reported since the outbreak began; modelling will be available on Monday that will provide additional data

· City of Toronto is considering developing a COVID-19 database. The province is looking at updating all of the systems that is nimble; stressed the importance for the City of Toronto to share data with the province for further analysis

· Details of the modelling will be released on Monday. Continue to practice social distancing and self-isolating as it has saved thousands of lives

Economy:

· Ministry of Finance is working with all municipalities on getting the economy ready and back on its feet

· Looking at a methodic staged approach to opening up the Canadian economy and consult with industries across the province

LTC/Retirement homes:

· All homes have necessary staffing and agency nurse are a supply and support to long-term homes to ensure they have the care they need; all people who are working in long-term care homes have access to personal protective equipment (PPE) and are required to wear them

· Testing is focused on LTC/retirement homes; looking to eventually conduct 18-20K tests daily

YORK REGION AND GREATER TORONTO AREA

· Sadly, a 54-year-old Personal Support Worker from the City of Markham who worked at a LTC facility in Scarborough passed away from COVID-19;

· Our website york.ca/covid19 continues to add new information including:

o Another video update by Dr. Kurji about COVID-19 in York Region; social posts have also been shared on Twitter and Facebook

· Paramedic Services is reporting a 25% decrease in call volumes in the wake of COVID-19

o Residents should continue to call 911 if they have a serious medical issue and need medical assistance

o When calling 911, residents are reminded to advise the operator if they believe they have COVID-19 symptoms or are COVID-19 positive

o Hospitals remain a safe place for residents who need urgent medical attention

Effective Saturday, April 18, York Region’s Health Connection will operate 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., seven days a week; York Region’s corporate contact centre Access York will also provide additional support outside these hours The Ontario government will be distributing iPads with free wireless data plans to students who may not have access to the province’s online learning tools as schools remain closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic

 

Positive News around our Region:

· York Region libraries offer virtual story time and online programs to support families during the COVID-19 pandemic

· Farms across York Region are making it easy for residents to get local farm-fresh food for order and pickup in York Region during COVID-19

· Interactive dashboard of real-time positive cases can be found at york.ca/covid19

 

As of April 17, at 5 p.m. there are:

968 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in York Region 63 new cases since yesterday 45 confirmed cases are currently hospitalized; 20 of which are in Intensive Care 52 cases among health care workers126 resolved cases, which equals about 13%28 institutional outbreaks under COVID-19 protocols: 13 Long Term Care/Retirement Homes: Bethany LodgeBuckingham ManorChartwell Aurora Long-Term Care HomeEagle Terrace Long-Term Care HomeKristus Darzs Latvian HomeMacKenzie Place Long-Term Care HomeMarkhaven Home for SeniorsRichview Manor Retirement HomeSouthlake Residential Care VillageSunrise of UnionvilleVilla Colombo VaughanVilla Leonardo GambinYee Hong Ho Lai Oi Wan Centre 15 Community Care Settings: Canadian Back Institute – DixonCanadian Back Institute – HanesChristian Horizon – KeswickChristian Horizon – Toronto 26 (Richmond Hill)Halsey Lodge Adult Care FacilityKerry’s Place Autism Services – PefferlawKerry’s Place Autism Services – WardenL’Arche Daybreak Group HomeNew Leaf Farm HouseNew Leaf SycamoreParticipation HouseReena Home – KerrybrookReena Home – LebovicReena Home – CrestwoodVita Community Living Home We regretfully report a total of 46 COVID-19 related fatalities to date; we extend our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of these individuals

As of this morning, there are:

· 9,525 total cases (4,556 resolved) in Ontario

· 478 COVID-19 related deaths in Ontario

· 30,670 (1,771 increase) total cases; with 1,250 related deaths in Canada

· More than 2 million total cases worldwide; with 139,515 related deaths in 213 Countries, areas or territories