Cases of the U.K. B.1.1.7 variant of COVID-19 that originated in the United Kingdom have been confirmed in Toronto and other parts of the province. In light of this, Toronto Public Health (TPH) is reinforcing the importance of infection prevention and control measures (IPAC) in long-term care homes, retirement homes, correction facilities, shelters, group homes and other congregate living settings, child care centres, and schools that remain open for students with special education needs who cannot be accommodated through remote learning.
Tonight at 7 p.m., the City of Toronto will open its four Warming Centres to give those who are vulnerable and may be experiencing homelessness a safe indoor and warm place to rest and access snacks, washroom facilities and referrals to emergency shelter.
Space will be offered at the following locations:
- 129 Peter Street
- 5800 Yonge Street
- Exhibition Place, Better Living Centre, 195 Princes’ Boulevard
Today, Mayor John Tory, Chair of the Toronto Board of Health Councillor Joe Cressy (Spadina-Fort York), Toronto’s Medical Officer of Health Dr. Eileen de Villa and Fire Chief and General Manager of the Office of Emergency Management Matthew Pegg provided an update on the City’s measures to combat the resurgence of the virus in Toronto and supports for neighbourhoods experiencing higher COVID-19 case rates.
The City of Toronto is introducing ConnectTO – a City-driven collaborative program that aims to leverage the use of municipal resources and assets to help bridge the increasing digital divide by expanding access to affordable, high-speed internet to underserved Toronto residents.
Geographically, almost all of Toronto has the infrastructure to connect to the internet, yet some Torontonians are being left behind because of the high price of reliable internet service and gaps in the availability of high-speed internet in some areas. This digital divide creates significant barriers for Toronto's most vulnerable and marginalized residents in accessing vital services and supports. Residents without consistent internet access cannot access information, resources, supports, educational tools and social platforms to stay connected. Businesses trying to compete in a digital-first world are set back by insufficient internet access and are unable to have staff effectively work from home.
A City of Toronto report to be considered by Executive Committee at its meeting of Wednesday, January 27 recommends the approval of four community safety and crisis support service pilots. These pilot programs would allow for non-police led response for non-emergency, non-violent calls including those involving persons in crisis and for wellness checks.
Today, Mayor John Tory endorsed a new City of Toronto report that recommends an expanded CaféTO program starting this spring to help Toronto’s main street restaurants and bars during the ongoing pandemic.
The report, which will be considered at the meeting of Executive Committee on Wednesday, January 27, includes details about the CaféTO – a quick-start pandemic response program launched last summer – and outlines key findings and outcomes along with recommendations on how to ensure the program is bigger and better this year.
The City of Toronto is pleased to partner with Unity Health Toronto, University Health Network and Inner City Health Associates on COVID-19 vaccination pilot clinics for people experiencing homelessness and frontline shelter workers in select shelters.
Unity Health Toronto ran a clinic January 15 to offer the COVID-19 Pfizer vaccine to more than 50 senior residents and more than 20 staff of the City-operated Scarborough Village Residence shelter site. This clinic is part of a pilot to vaccinate people experiencing homelessness and staff at up to four shelter sites, with support from the City’s Shelter Support and Housing Administration, Toronto Public Health and the Inner City Health Associates (ICHA). This pilot is prioritizing shelter sites with the highest population of seniors and people with a significant risk of severe outcome as a result of COVID-19. The purpose of the pilot is to test the clinic model and develop a "playbook" for broader future roll-out of the vaccine in the City’s shelter system.
Today, the City of Toronto confirmed that COVID-19 immunization clinics have been held at all 87 long-term care homes in Toronto. The vaccination milestone comes well in advance of the Province of Ontario’s January 21, 2021 deadline to complete the first round of vaccinations in long-term care homes.
More than 10,322 residents and 2,893 staff and essential caregivers have now been vaccinated with the Moderna vaccine on-site in Toronto long-term care homes. In addition, staff and essential caregivers have attended hospital clinics to receive the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.
Toronto Public Health (TPH), in partnership with the Province of Ontario, is today announcing the expansion of the case and contact management component of the City's COVID-19 response. As our local response to the spread of the virus continues, TPH’s case and contact management program is an important tool to help curb this virus spread.
To expand TPH’s case and contact management work, the following enhancements are currently underway:
The City of Toronto’s 50 Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) devices issued a total of 53,090 tickets at the first round of locations, from July 6, 2020 through the final day of enforcement on November 30, 2020, before the devices started enforcement at the second round of locations on December 1, 2020.
Data from the first set of locations shows the City's Automated Speed Enforcement program had a positive impact on driver behaviour where the speed cameras were placed, with a demonstrated reduction in speeding incidents and a reduction in repeat offenders.
