KEY UPDATES
FEDERAL
The federal government announced Bill C-24 received Royal Assent; the new legislation increases the maximum number of weeks available to workers through EI regular benefits; workers claiming EI regular benefits can now access up to a maximum of 50 weeks for claims established between September 27, 2020 to September 25, 2021. The federal Department of Finance welcomed a report from the International Monetary Fund report that validated Canada’s economic response to COVID-19.
PROVINCIAL
Premier Ford provided a vaccine update and provincial health officials provided the latest details on COVD-19 in Ontario. Merrilee Fullerton, Minister of Long-Term Care announced the Ontario government is investing $933 million in 80 new long-term care projects and provincial. Ottawa Public Health will move into the Red-Control Zone of the Keeping Ontario Safe and Open Framework effective Friday, March 19, 2021 at 12:01 a.m.
The Ontario government is investing more than $12 million in a new initiative to detect COVID-19 in wastewater; a surveillance network will be created to test wastewater samples taken from communities across Ontario.
The Ontario government is investing $239 million to extend temporary wage enhancements for personal support workers and direct support workers in publicly funded home and community care, long-term care, public hospitals and social services sectors. The province is moving to the next stage of planning for the Yonge North Subway Extension with the release of the Initial Business Case and supplementary analysis for the project .
YORK REGION
In response to a rise in abusive language and harassment towards staff when speaking with and assisting members of the community over the phone or in person, York Region issued a request asking people to be kind and emphasized any form of abuse will not be tolerated
COVID-19 VACCINATIONS IN YORK REIGON
97,019 total number of vaccines administered37,297 total number of vaccines administered to people 80 years of age and older 71.1% proportion of people 80 years of age and older who have received at least one dose.
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 18, 2021 at 5 p.m. there are:
30,999 total confirmed cases 171 new cases since yesterday 149.0 average daily cases over past 7 days 86.9 total cases per 100K population 1,582 total variant cases identified, of which 412 are active 4 new hospitalizations130 confirmed cases in hospital, 19 of which are in Intensive Care 990 cases among health care workers, of which 978 cases have resolved1 new fatality 547 total confirmed fatalities 29,366 resolved cases 4.63% positivity rate 48 open outbreaks under COVID-19 protocols 18 institutional (Long-Term Care/Retirement Homes/Community Care/Hospitals)3 Child Care Centre0 Emergency Housing10 Schools; 40 Schools under surveillance 17 Workplaces 772 closed outbreaks
KING TOWNSHIP
5 new cases reported today.