Government extends military support
For the second time, the provincial government has extended the military support in select Ontario long-term care homes.
The military was due to end its support on Friday, which sees 250 personnel supporting operations in five of Ontario's hardest-hit long-term care homes. That will be extended for two more weeks, until June 26.
"We are very grateful to the Canadian Armed Forces for their continued support of our long-term care homes at Ontario’s time of need," said Minister of Long-term Care Merrilee Fullerton in a statement to QP Briefing. "This extension will ensure that the high risk homes to which they are deployed will continue to benefit from their skill and efforts to fight COVID-19."
Ontario called in the military on April 22 as the coronavirus ravaged long-term care homes in the province and staffing problems mounted. The military was originally scheduled to leave in mid-May, but after a damning report detailed horrifying conditions within the homes the stay was extended. Shortly thereafter, Premier Doug Ford conceded that more regulation for the industry might be needed.
Ontario sees improving numbers
Ontario saw a step forward in its coronavirus numbers, in terms of both the number of people who tested positive and the number of tests completed.
The province set a record with over 28,000 COVID-19 tests, a measure where Ontario has struggled since the pandemic started to meet its goals. The number of tests marks an increase of 4,000 over the previous day.
Ontario also reported just 182 new positive coronavirus cases, the lowest number in two months. Health Minister Christine Elliott touted the encouraging signs. "This is a remarkable accomplishment," she said in the daily afternoon press conference.
The testing numbers came as Ontario opens up parts of the province to stage two of lifting public health restrictions. That measure excludes the GTHA and parts of southwestern Ontario, which have been hardest hit by the pandemic. However, all regions will be able to participate in social circles of up to 10 people, as laid out by the province.
Canada's largest province isn't out of the woods yet.
The province saw 11 additional coronavirus fatalities in the latest numbers. Ontario has so far seen 2,498 deaths attributed to the coronavirus, almost half as many as Quebec. No other province has more than 200 deaths.
A new day has come
Ontario saw phase two of lifting public health restrictions begin on Friday, giving big swaths of the province another reason to sneer at Toronto.
That meant that people outside of the GTHA and parts of southwestern Ontario could get that long-awaited haircut or go for a swim at a public pool, among other activities.
Andrew Buttigieg, a spokesperson for Environment Minister Jeff Yurek, got into the spirit by showing off his fresh haircut.
Feeling fresh after my first ‘real’ haircut in 4 months! #Phase2 💇🏽♂️ pic.twitter.com/dIFBmJYVSC
— Andrew Buttigieg (@AndrewButters91) June 12, 2020
The premier used the occasion to encourage Ontarians to support local businesses and to stimulate the economy. "I encourage everyone in these communities to show their support and shop local," he said. "We know more regions in Ontario will joining them very, very soon," he added, hinting that the likes of the GTHA could be around the corner if numbers continue to improve.
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