COVID-19 Ottawa:
Ottawa Public Health is reporting 37 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 Friday, up from the 29 announced by the province earlier in the day.
There are 289 confirmed cases of the Novel Coronavirus in the capital, with three deaths related to the virus.
COVID-19 Care Centre Details Release:
Kanata South Councillor Allan Hubley has revealed more details about the COVID-19 treatment facility announced Thursday.
Hubley says the clinic will open Monday in D.A. Moodie Intermediate School in Bells Corners, and will operate from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm every day.
Anyone with a fever and respiratory illness will be treated at this facility.
COVID-19 Ontario:
Ontario is reporting another 462 cases of COVID-19 Friday.
The provincial total now stands at 3255. Health officials also reported 14 more deaths, bringing the toll to 67.
Death Projections/More Businesses To Close:
Ontario Public health officials say between 3000 and 15000 people could die of COVID-19 in the province, even with public health measures in place.
Projections from Public Health Ontario suggest without measures like physical distancing and the closure of non-essential businesses, the death toll could have reached 100,000 people in the province. But officials stress existing steps must stay in place to halt the spread of the novel coronavirus.
Premier Doug Ford says more businesses will be forced to close in our province.
The new closures will take effect at 11:59 p.m. Saturday and will include all industrial construction except for essential projects such as hospitals.
Federal Financial Help Update:
Low-income Canadians will be getting a G-S-T credit this month.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the aid is coming a month earlier than planned and will amount to $300 for every qualifying adult, plus $150 for each child. The Canada Emergency Response Benefit will also be rolled out this month, valued at $500 a week for up to 16 weeks. Online applications on the Government of Canada website start on Monday.
Airport Reporting Massive Drop in Flights:
Officials with the Ottawa Airport suggest the effects of the pandemic will be felt on its operations for years to come.
Flight volume is down to roughly five to ten per cent of the usual levels, with less than ten flights departing from and arriving at the airport per day. That’s down from around 100 flights per day, serving some seven thousand passengers.
Grassy Narrows Treatment Centre Agreement Reached:
The federal government has signed an agreement with Grassy Narrows First Nation that will finally lead to a treatment centre for residents with mercury poisoning finally built in the community.
Chief Rudy Turtle signed the framework agreement late yesterday, which commits $19.5-million toward construction of a 24-bed facility. The Liberals promised a specialized treatment facility in 2017 but progress stalled due to disagreements on the design of the care centre.
Ottawa Valley Flood Help:
Ottawa Valley residents are getting help from the province to recover from last year’s devastating floods, as they brace for another spring thaw.
$3.8-million has been set aside for property repairs for those affected by the flooding. The money comes from the Municipal Disaster Recovery Assistance, and the Build Back Better Programs.