COVID-19 Ottawa:
Ottawa Public Health is reporting ten new confirmed COVID-19 cases Thursday.
That sends the city’s total throughout the pandemic to 2,679, with 140 currently active, and almost 85 per cent of cases resolved. It’s been more than two weeks since a local death related to the virus has been reported, with that number staying at 264.
COVID-19 Ontario:
Ontario is reporting 78 new cases of COVID-19 Thursday and no new deaths from the novel coronavirus, though data from Toronto Public Health was not included in today’s numbers.
99 more cases were marked as resolved. Ontario’s total case count is now 40,367, with 36,689 marked as resolved and 2,787 deaths.
One Charge Laid for Violation of Ottawa’s Mask Bylaw:
Ottawa Bylaw officers have only laid one charge in connection with the city’s new mandatory mask bylaw since it went into effect almost a month ago.
That was for a cafe on Hunt Club which failed to post a sign indicating that masks were mandatory to come inside. 143 verbal warnings have been issued to people not following the mask bylaw since July 15.
Threats Against Local Politicians Up: RCMP:
The RCMP says there has been an increase in the number of threats made against the prime minister and other local politicians.
From January to July of last year, protective policing opened 100 investigations into threats, while from January to last month it launched about 130 investigations. That doesn’t include the investigation police launched this week into an incident where a man yelled obscenities at a staff member at Catherine McKenna’s constituency office.
MPP Lisa MacLeod was reportedly put under police protection this week when she was threatened after speaking out against the abuse faced by female politicians. Last week, city councillor Laura Dudas had a rock hurled through a window of her home while her family was asleep.
East-End Home Invasions:
Ottawa Police are searching for answers following two violent home invasions on Innes Road in Blackburn Hamlet.
The first one happened around 3:00 am last Friday (August 7), while the other one occurred at another apartment about a kilometre away around 1:00 am this past Monday (August 10).
In both cases two men forced their way through locked doors and confined the residents inside before taking off with cash and valuables. You’re encouraged to report anything suspicious in this area to police.
New Design For Chateau Laurier Expansion:
Ottawa City Council will soon debate a new design plan for the Chateau Laurier expansion.
Mayor Jim Watson revealed the new proposed design on Twitter Thursday, explaining that it would protect the view of the historic hotel from nearby Majors Hill Park, and meet council’s key conditions for improvement. No date has been set yet for the council discussion on the new proposal.