KEY UPDATES

FEDERAL

Prime Minister Trudeau and federal ministers provided a COVID-19 update announcing the extension of subsidy programs to June 2021 and announcing a $518 million investment in research and science;

The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) has recommended extending the interval for the second dose of vaccine to four months to maximize the number of individuals benefiting first dose vaccines. Health Canada has allowed for more flexible storage and transportation conditions for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine.

PROVINCIAL

The Ontario government hired over 100 new occupational health and safety inspectors to support business inspection campaigns; officers have conducted more than 13,374 COVID-related workplace inspections and investigations since the beginning of 2021. The Ontario government announced a one-time investment of up to $27 million to support the continued operation, maintenance and capital needs of six major tourism and cultural institutions in the Greater Toronto Area; McMichael Canadian Art Collection in Vaughan will receive up to $1.2 million in stabilization funding for operating costs and $50,000 for capital repairs to support maintenance of the gallery and grounds.

YORK REGION

To assist with reducing the spread of COVID-19, Dr. Kurj issued: A Section 22 Class Order (York Region Public Health Class Order for all residents) for individuals of York Region diagnosed with COVID-19, experiencing symptoms or who are a close contact to follow all instructions from York Region Public Health. A Letter of Instruction for workplaces (York Region Public Health Instructions for workplaces) to follow best practices and support vaccination of staff.

COVID-19 IN YORK REGION:

Below is a summary of the detailed information contained in the Interactive Dashboard – Cases at york.ca/covid19data. As of March 3, 2021 at 5 p.m. there are:

29,068 total confirmed cases 64 new cases* since yesterday78.4 average daily cases over past 7 days 45.7 total cases per 100K population 656 total variant cases identified, of which 164 are active 4 new hospitalizations 130 confirmed cases in hospital, 21 of which are in Intensive Care 393 cases among health care workers, of which 391 cases have resolved2 new fatalities 526 total confirmed fatalities 27,813 resolved cases 3.49% positivity rate41 open outbreaks under COVID-19 protocols 21 institutional (Long-Term Care/Retirement Homes/Community Care/Hospitals)2 Child Care Centre0 Emergency Housing 5 Schools; 40 Schools under surveillance 13 Workplaces 726 closed outbreaks.

KING TOWNSHIP

2 new cases reported today.