COVID-19 Ottawa:
We have 58 new confirmed COVID-19 cases in the Capital Today.
That brings Ottawa’s total to 252, with three deaths. 24 of these patients are being treated in hospital, while 23 cases have been resolved.
Treatment Centre To Open In The West End:
Officials at Queensway-Carleton Hospital are taking a big step to ease some of the pressure on its emergency department during the pandemic.
They will run a COVID-19 care clinic that will open on Moodie Drive in the west end on Monday (April 6).
While the Community Access Centre in Brewer Arena will only test people for the virus, this new facility will offer treatment for anyone experiencing fever and respiratory symptoms.
Carleton Place Outbreak:
Another outbreak has been reported at a long-term care facility in our area.
This time it’s the Stoneridge Manor home in Carleton Place, where a staff member has tested positive for COVID-19. This follows confirmation of outbreaks at Promenade Retirement Residence, Garden Terrace Long-Term Care Residence, Park Place Retirement Home, and Maplewood Retirement Community.
NCC Closes Parks:
The National Capital Commission is following the advice of the Provincial Government.
It’s temporary closing Urban Parks in our city to promote physical distancing. This includes Lebretton Flats, Vincent Massey, and Major’s Hill, Commissioners and Confederation Parks.
COVID-19 Ontario:
Premier Doug Ford has announced his government will release data Friday showing how many Ontarians could die from COVID-19.
Ford says Ontario’s top doctor needed time to compile figures that take into account the large influx of people, including snowbirds, returning to Canada, to develop an accurate model. The province is reporting 401 more COVID-19 cases today, including 16 more deaths.
The Pinecrest Nursing Home in Bobcaygeon is also reporting two more deaths of residents in its facility, bringing the total to 16.
Indigenous COVID-19 Cases:
Indigenous Services Minister Marc Miller says fifteen people living in Indigenous communities have been diagnosed with COVID-19.
He says the virus is a unique challenge in remote communities and the government is trying to get equipment there to help. He adds some Indigenous communities are also facing the double-threat of spring flooding as they try to manage the widening health crisis.
Food Service Industry Layoffs:
A non-profit organization estimates 300,000 food-service jobs have been lost in Ontario over the last month.
Restaurants Canada surveyed more than 650 food operators across the country. It says four out of five restaurants have laid off employees since March 1 and nearly one out of ten restaurants have already closed permanently.
Sens Announce Layoffs:
Eugene Melnyk has announced the Ottawa Senators are implementing temporary layoffs and salary reductions due to the pandemic.
Melnyk’s company Capital Sports & Entertainment says its full-time workforce will be reduced starting Sunday, when the Senators’ season was originally scheduled to end.
The company adds employee health benefits will continue uninterrupted and an unemployment plan has been created that will supplement employment insurance benefits for three more months.