SLACKENING SPREAD

Cautious optimism amid signs of COVID-19 slowdown in Canada

TORONTO—The Canadian military needs to help in understaffed nursing homes ravaged by COVID-19, the country’s two largest provinces said Wednesday, as signs of a slowing pandemic prompted talk of easing the economically crippling measures put in place to curb the spread.

Both Quebec and Ontario called on the federal government to send in the troops, with Premier François Legault asking for 1,000 military personnel. Premier Doug Ford similarly asked for military help in five priority homes in his province.

Coronavirus in nursing homes has accounted for a significant proportion of Canada’s 1,966 deaths.

Despite the spread of the coronavirus in long-term care facilities, some bright spots did emerge.

Ontario, for example, reported 510 new cases or 4.3 per cent more over the previous day — the slowest growth in weeks.

Several other provinces reported no new cases amid talk of how and when to get the country moving again.

Ford has mused Ontario could start easing restrictions ahead of next month’s long weekend. Legault said he would present a plan next week to reopen schools gradually, starting in stable areas. Premier Dennis King of Prince Edward Island, which has had just 26 cases and no deaths, said lifting anti-COVID measures could start as early as May 1. Saskatchewan planned to present its reopening plan on Thursday, while Manitoba said it would do so next week.

How exactly Canada starts on the road to normalization depends largely on provincial decisions, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Wednesday. However, the closure of the Canada-U.S. border will stay in place until May 21 at the earliest, he said.

For her part, chief public health officer Dr. Theresa Tam agreed Canada was slowing the epidemic, but warned against letting down the country’s collective guard.

The focus, Tam said, had to be on stopping outbreaks in seniors homes and other places where vulnerable people live in close quarters.

Regardless, the financial fallout of the anti-COVID measures — social isolation and the shutdown of non-essential commercial activities — has been profound. Trudeau, who had already announced more than $100 billion in various forms of assistance, offered more financial supports on Wednesday.

A total of $9 billion would go to students without access to previously announced emergency assistance. Students will receive $1,250 a month from May to August under the program.

In addition, the government said it would create 76,000 new summer jobs for young people in sectors that “need an extra hand,” such as agriculture.