Top COVID-19 stories and news
- Canada’s worker benefits: What we know so far
- Restaurants can now sell deliver, takeout alcohol in Ontario
- Kristyn Wong-Tam: The case for a universal basic income becomes clearer
- An illustrated guide to creatively practicing physical distancing
- How coronavirus could reshape the wedding industry
- The city’s shelter system deals with coronavirus overload
Case summary
- As of 10:30 am on March 27 there are 967 active cases of COVID-19 in Ontario.
- Eight cases have been resolved in the province and 18 people have died.
- There are 10,074 are under investigation and 29,967 cases have tested negative.
- As of 1 p m on March 27, there are 457 confirmed cases in Toronto, four people have died and 18 people have recovered.
- 25 per cent of Toronto’s cases were transmitted through community spread.
Follow the latest Toronto news on coronavirus
4:45 pm Toronto reports 457 cases of COVID-19
As of 1 pm, there are 457 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Toronto, an increase of 118 over yesterday, Toronto’s medical officer of health Eileen de Villa said at a news conference. There are 27 cases hospitalized including 15 in intensive care.
Around 25 per cent of the city’s cases are attributed to community spread, four people have died and 18 people have recovered.
“We are seeing a significant increase and I expect that we see similar patterns in the days ahead,” de Villa said, adding that many people have recently returned to the city from March Break holidays. “The positive tests that we’re getting now are the result of infections that happened several days ago.”
2:46 pm Shaw Festival cancels performances through May 25
Event cancellations are taking place later in spring. The Shaw Festival announced on Friday that all performances are cancelled through May 25.
Ticket holders for affected performances will have the full value of their tickets held on their account while reps contact people to reschedule or offer refunds once the box office reopens on April 13
“We will continue to monitor the situation to see if additional cancellations are required based on the direction and guidance of the provincial and federal governments along with the public health units of Niagara, the province and the country,” the festival said in a statement.
11:47 am Ontario reports 135 new COVID-19 cases
There are 135 new cases of COVID-19 in Ontario, bringing the provincial total to 993.
Public health officials reported on Friday that the total number of active cases in the province is 967. Eight cases have been resolved and there have been 18 deaths.
In all, 10,074 are under investigation and 29,967 cases have tested negative.
The number of cases reported is down from 170 new cases on Thursday.
11:37 am Toronto man charged with allegedly shipping COVID-19 testing kits
Toronto police have charged man for allegedly shipping COVID-19 testing kits across the border.
On Wednesday, the Financial Crimes Unit received information that a parcel that was intercepted at the Canada/U.S. border that allegedly contained 25 prohibited COVID-19 testing kits. Investigators then determined that more parcels had been sent from a Toronto address.
Police also allege that several parcels containing the kits were shipped from Canada to the United States.
Jesse Wong, 43, of Toronto has been arrested and charged with fraud over $5,000 and possession of a forgery device.
“Toronto Police would like to remind the public to be extra vigilant when it comes to those trying to sell or provide products or services associated to COVID-19,” police said in a statement. “There are no legitimate ‘home test kits’ available.”
11:22 am Trudeau announces 75 per cent wage subsidy for small and medium-sized employers
Canada is increasing the wage subsidy to small-and mid-size employers from 10 per cent to 75 per cent to encourage businesses to keep workers on the payroll – and re-hire laid-off employees – during the coronavirus pandemic. The subsidy change is back-dated to March 15.
On Friday, Justin Trudeau announced the measure as well as other initiatives for small and medium-sized businesses, including the Canada Emergency Business Account, which which will allow banks to offer loans up to $40,000 that will be guaranteed by government. The loans will be interest free for the first year and $10,000 will be forgivable if businesses meet certain conditions.
The federal government will also defer GST and HST payments and duties on taxes owed on imports until June. Trudeau said the move will amount to $30 billion in interest-free loans to businesses.
Canada will also offer $12.5 billion through Export Development Canada and the Business Development Bank to help small and mid-sized businesses with operational cash flow requirements.
10:50 am Paradise and Fox Theatres to stream first-run movies
Indie cinemas are staying in business through the province-wide shutdown of movies theatres by teaming with arthouse distributors to make first-run films available to rent online.
Starting today, the Paradise Theatre is partnering with Film Movement to make the films Corpus Christi and Wild Goose Lake available online. Tickets are $12 and the Paradise will get 50 per cent of sales.
Next week, the Fox Theatre will make the Brazilian thriller available to stream on April 3 via the platform Kino Marquee. Read more details here.
8:58 am Hamilton police charge McDonald’s employee with faking COVID-19
An 18-year-old McDonald’s employee has been charged with faking a doctor’s note saying she had COVID-19 in order to get out of work.
Police said the employee gave the note to her supervisor on March 19 and the restaurant immediately closed and sent all employees home to self-isolate. The restaurant remained closed while store was professionally cleaned.
Police arrested the employee on March 26 and charged her with mischief, fraud over $5,000 and making and using a forged document. She will appear in court on May 18.
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