COVID-19 Ottawa:
Ottawa Public Health is reporting two more deaths, and eight more confirmed cases of COVID-19 Thursday.
The Capital has recorded 1,930 cases, and 240 deaths related to the virus since the first local cases were reported in March.
18 local institutions are fighting outbreaks.
OC Transpo Announces Recovery Plan, Masks to Become Mandatory:
Ottawa Transit Commission Chair Allan Hubley has announced details of OC Transpo’s Recovery Program.
Perhaps the most significant announcement was that, starting June 15, it will be mandatory for staff and customers on all OC Transpo vehicles to wear a mask. Front door boarding will resume at that time as well.
Regular, full, summer service will resume on June 28.
Hubley says the plan was approved by Ottawa Public Health, and is still subject to Ontario re-opening guidelines. It will be discussed during a special Transit Commission Meeting on Monday, June 1.
COVID-19 Ontario:
Ontario is reporting 383 new cases of COVID-19 Thursday, and 34 more deaths.
The new cases represent a jump after several consecutive days of fewer than 300 new cases.
It brings the provincial total to 26,866, an increase of 1.4 per cent over Wednesday. The total includes 2,189 deaths and 20,673 resolved cases.
Top Doctor On Flattening The Curve:
Our country’s top Dr. Theresa Tam says much of Canada has flattened the curve of novel coronavirus infections.
However, she says there are still a significant number of cases in vulnerable settings such as long-term care homes, as well as parts of Ontario and Quebec.
Manitoba Seeks Clarity on First Nations Ceremonies:
Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister wants Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to clear up the rules around Indigenous ceremonies and COVID-19 restrictions.
Pallister says he plans to discuss the issue with the prime minister, after a Manitoba First Nation announced its annual pow-wow will go ahead next month.
The federal government says it’s ultimately up to First Nations leaders to decide if cultural practices will be held. Manitoba Health says Indigenous ceremonies need to happen within public health recommendations which currently limit public gatherings to 50 people.
Libraries To Partially Re-Open:
You will soon be able to pick up and drop off books in person at an Ottawa Public Library Branch.
Six branches will start accepting returns, and appointments for picking up books put on hold, starting June 8. If all goes according to plan, curbside pickup, mobile deliveries, and returns will resume at these branches one week later, on June 15.
The six branches are: Main (on Metcalfe), Nepean Centrepointe, Beaverbrook, Greenboro, Ruth E. Dickinson, and Cumberland.
Arson Unit Investigating South End Fire:
Ottawa Police are investigating a suspicious fire in the south end.
Firefighters were called to a property on Leitrim Road, near Hawthorne Road, around 5:15 am Thursday.
No one was hurt, but investigators are working to determine what started the fire.