New Restrictions for Gatherings in Ottawa, GTA, Peel:
The province has lowered the number of people allowed at social gatherings in Ottawa, and two other regions where COVID cases are spiking.
Starting Friday only ten people can gather indoors, and twenty-five people can get together outdoors. Restaurants, movie theatres and banquet halls are exempt. Fines for the organizers of events that violate the new rules will be a minimum of $10,000. Those attending the gatherings with face $750 fines.
COVID-19 Ottawa:
There are 39 new confirmed COVID-19 cases in Ottawa Thursday, but no new deaths related to the virus.
Ottawa Public Health has reported 3,486 cases throughout the pandemic, 420 are active, while 80 per cent of patients have recovered.
The Province is also reporting more cases in schools with the Local Catholic, and French Catholic Boards. Its school case tracking website shows a total of 14 students, and four staff, at fifteen different local schools have tested positive. Click here for more details.
COVID-19 Ontario:
Across Ontario there are 293 new cases, and three new deaths related to the coronavirus.
70 per cent of the new cases are in people under the age of 40. The total number of cases in Ontario now stands at 45,676, which includes 2,825 deaths and 40,424 cases classified as resolved.
Pop-Up Testing Sites Coming Soon:
It will be easier to get tested for COVID-19 in the Capital, starting Friday.
Local MPP Lisa MacLeod revealed Thursday morning that three pop up testing sites will open in the Capital. She broke the news after announcing $10.2-million for local hospital repairs. The location of these testing sites is still being finalized.
The provincial funding will help with repairs to hospital roofs, elevators, and HVAC systems.
RBC Increases Indigenous Scholarships:
Indigenous post-secondary students across Canada will now have more opportunity to receive a financial boost.
In announcing the 2020 recipients of the RBC Indigenous Student Awards Program, the Royal Bank of Canada also revealed that it has doubled the number of scholarships going forward. Starting this year, it is providing the scholarships to 20 post-secondary students a year.