Pandemic `curve going down,' Ford says
Premier Doug Ford has hinted that some positive COVID-19 news may arrive today.
Information will be shared showing that “we see the curve going down, which is great news,” Ford said at his daily news conference on Wednesday.
“But we can't let our guard down, just because we see it sloping down a little bit.”
The premier also noted that he's been communicating closely with municipal leaders in the four regions — Toronto, Ottawa, Peel and York — currently subject to modified Stage 2 restrictions. In those regions, indoor dining at restaurants and bars has been banned and gyms and cinemas closed, among other restrictions.
“No one wants to get these restaurants opened up, these fitness centres and other places, more than I do,” Ford said.
HE also provided details about a new $1-billion federal-provincial infrastructure funding stream that will provide cash for projects related to increasing resiliency in the face of COVID-19.
This will include projects in the education and long-term care sectors. To be eligible, projects will have to start by Sept. 30, 2021, and be completed by Dec. 31.
The projects could include renovations or repairs to long-term care homes, schools, childcare centres, recreation centres and shelters; improvements to HVAC and ventilation systems or renovations to increase physical distancing; projects that promote active transportation, such as parks, trails and bike lanes; and work that mitigates or remediates disasters such as floods.
“The construction of these projects will create hundreds of jobs, support local businesses and suppliers, and improve quality of life for so many people,” Ford said.
The premier maintained his support Wednesday for MPP Sam Oosterhoff, who is under fire after posing maskless in group photos taken at a banquet hall.
“Sam acknowledged he made a mistake, he apologized, it's not going to happen again,” Ford said, repeating the message he delivered Tuesday.
“But in context, I think we all have to do a better job, all of us, making sure that we practise the social distancing and masking and hand sanitizing.”
Ontario reported 834 new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday, including 299 in Toronto, 186 in Peel, and 121 in York Region.
The disease has claimed five more lives in the province, bringing Ontario's COVID-19 death toll to 3,108. There are now 312 people hospitalized with COVID-19, including 71 in ICU and 51 on ventilators.
In the regions surrounding Ottawa, the total COVID-19 case count grew by 14 in the last day in Eastern
Ontario, by two in Leeds, Grenville & Lanark, and by one in Renfrew County and District.
A new outbreak of the virus was reported Wednesday at the Beacon Heights retirement home. It involves one staff case, according to the latest public health data.
New outbreaks were also recorded at the Ottawa Islamic School (three students, two staff cases) and the Sainte-Bernadette Petits pas à trois child care program (one child affected).