As easily transmitted COVID-19 variants of concern spread quickly throughout Toronto and the GTA, outbreaks are increasingly linked to workplaces, where the virus can spread through close contact between workers.
To reduce this significant risk to the city’s health, Toronto Public Health (TPH) will issue a Section 22 order for workplaces. This Order is a necessary tool to break the chains of transmission within Toronto workplaces where COVID-19 is determined to be spreading.
The City of Toronto has received updated COVID-19 regulations from the Province of Ontario and has modified City services and operations to align with the orders and direction from Toronto’s Medical Officer of Health. Strengthened public health measures are needed to reduce new cases of COVID-19 in Toronto, alleviate the strain on the healthcare system and save lives.
There are 1,527 new cases of COVID-19 in Toronto today – a new record high for daily case counts. Since the start of the pandemic there have been a total of 130,502 cases of COVID-19 in the city, including the 1,527 new cases today. There are 813 people hospitalized. To date, there have been 2,900 COVID-19 deaths in Toronto. In total, 114,535 people have recovered. Case status data can be found on the Toronto Public Health’s reporting dashboard: www.toronto.ca/home/covid-19/covid-19-latest-city-of-toronto-news/covid-19-status-of-cases-in-toronto/.
With the warm spring weather and bud development on the City of Toronto’s cherry blossom trees, the City is making arrangements for Torontonians to experience the bloom of the High Park cherry blossom trees from home again this year. In keeping with the provincial Stay-at-Home order, currently in effect across Toronto and to protect our healthcare system, the City is working to prevent crowding and gathering in High Park by offering a virtual view of the blooms while maintaining local pedestrian and cyclist access to the park for essential fresh air and exercise. To ensure people have ample space to practise physical distancing, the park will be closed to vehicle traffic.
Today, Mayor John Tory announced the formation of Toronto’s Accessibility Task Force (ATF) on COVID-19 Vaccines to advise on enhanced support and access to the COVID-19 vaccine for people with disabilities. The ATF was created as part of the City of Toronto’s COVID-19 Immunization Task Force (ITF) outreach efforts and TO Supports: Targeted Equity Action Plan and is a collaboration between the City and community partners. Given the high risks associated with COVID-19 for people with disabilities, the ATF is set to make recommendations to immediately reduce the number of COVID-19 cases and effectively address issues around accessibility.
Today, Mayor John Tory announced the recipients of the City of Toronto’s $5.5M COVID-19 Vaccine Engagement Teams Grants – a key part of the City’s COVID-19 Community Mobilization and Engagement Plan to connect with vulnerable residents and communities across Toronto.
The grants, which have been awarded to community agencies and resident-led groups, will fund outreach and engagement activities in 140 neighbourhoods, with a specific focus on the communities that have been hit hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic. Fourteen Vaccine Engagement Teams have been created, reflecting 155 community organizations across the city. Their focus is on reducing barriers to the COVID-19 vaccines, and increasing vaccination uptake among our most vulnerable residents.
April 9, 2021 By Michael Smee, CBC News
The city is getting ready to revamp hundreds of street signs that walking advocates say are misleading.
"No Exit" signs, erected as warnings for drivers, often do not apply to pedestrians, according to Coun. Paula Fletcher, whose motion titled "I'm Walking Here" was approved at this week's council meeting.
"I think during COVID people have been walking like they've never walked before," said Fletcher, who represents Ward 14, Toronto-Danforth.Today, Mayor John Tory officially launched Toronto's annual city-wide spring cleanup campaign.
Despite the ongoing pandemic, work at the City continues to move forward to ensure that residents have access to City services and amenities. This includes the work of essential workers from multiple City divisions who will take on the necessary work of making public spaces safe and clean for residents when they are outside for fresh air or exercise and essential workers travelling to and from work.
The City of Toronto is working with all our healthcare partners, pharmacies and Toronto Public Health to administer all available COVID-19 vaccines. To date, 684,809 COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered in Toronto.
Starting today at 8 a.m., people age 50 or older who live in high-risk areas as identified by postal code can book vaccination appointments online or by phone for City-run COVID-19 immunization clinics.
Starting tomorrow at 8 a.m., residents age 50 and older living in COVID-19 hot spot postal codes will be able to book vaccination appointments at City-operated immunization clinics. This expanded eligibility is part of the Phase 2 Team Toronto vaccine rollout, ensuring every dose available is used to protect the most vulnerable.
The change will ensure an additional 265,518 residents are eligible to book vaccine appointments at City-run clinics.
