Ontario reported a record high 1,581 COVID-19 cases and 20 new deaths on Saturday.
Health Minister Christine Elliott said 497 of those cases were found in Peel Region, 456 in Toronto, 130 in York Region and 77 in Ottawa. More than 44,800 tests were completed, she said.
Ontario is also reporting 1,003 more cases marked as resolved.
Currently, there are 452 people in hospital, with 106 of those in intensive care units. Of those in intensive care, 67 are on ventilators.
More regions placed in the red zone
On Friday, Ontario placed more regions in the red-control zone, a change that means increased restrictions for those areas.
The move comes as critics say Premier Doug Ford’s colour-coded system is too lenient.
Elliott announced the following cities and regions will move into the red-control zone of the province’s framework on Friday:
Hamilton.
Halton.
Peel.
Toronto.
York.
Elliott said anyone living in a red-control region should only leave their home for essential purposes. The minister also announced the following regions will move to the orange-restrict zone:
Brant.
Durham.
Eastern Ontario.
Niagara.
Ottawa.
Waterloo.
Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph.
The following regions are moving into the yellow-protect zone:
Haldimand-Norfolk.
Huron-Perth.
Middlesex-London.
Sudbury.
Simcoe-Muskoka.
Southwestern.
Windsor-Essex.
The changes come into effect on Monday, Nov. 16, at 12:01 a.m., with the exception of Toronto, which moved to the red zone on Saturday, Nov. 14, at 12:01 a.m.
“I know this will be difficult. You’ve already sacrificed so much,” Ford said on Friday.
“We’re staring down the barrel of another lockdown. And I will not hesitate for a second if we have to go further.”
The province has made the thresholds for restrictions more strict, after they faced criticism that the criteria for more severe health measures was too high.
The red zone, which is the most strict zone before a total lockdown, now includes a positivity rate of 2.5 per cent and a weekly incidence rate of above 40 per 100,000 people.
In the red zone, gatherings are confined to 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors. Religious services, weddings and funerals are confined to 30 per cent capacity indoors and 100 people outdoors.
The maximum number of patrons permitted to be seated at a bar or restaurant indoors is 10. Outdoor dining, take out, drive-thru and delivery are all permitted.
New modelling released Thursday showed the province could face more than 6,000 COVID-19 cases per day by mid-December if it didn’t add more public health restrictions.
Officials issue statements on Diwali, Bandi Chhor Divas celebrations
Ahead of religious celebrations over the weekend, several officials made statements to give best wishes to communities while reminding the public about gathering restrictions.
Toronto Mayor John Tory issued a statement Saturday where he wished the Hindu and Sikh communities in Toronto a happy Diwali and Bandi Chhor Divas.
Tory also released video messages where he urged residents to celebrate the occasions only with members of their own households and to avoid gathering in large groups. He encouraged the public to celebrate virtually instead.
NDP federal leader Jagmeet Singh also issued a video statement on Twitter where he asked those celebrating to stay at home.
As you celebrate Diwali, Deepawali & Bandi Chhor Divas this weekend – I extend my warmest wishes<br><br>I know this year will be tough<br><br>But, I encourage you to respect guidelines, stay home & help overcome this pandemic<br><br>And, I promise we’ll celebrate together in the years to come <a href=”https://t.co/lh3ohkeMs1″>pic.twitter.com/lh3ohkeMs1</a>
“I know you may think it’s just a casual visit to one your friend’s homes, to one of your relatives homes. But that casual visit could mean someone falls sick to COVID-19,” said Singh, stating that hospitalizations are rising and the healthcare system risks being overwhelmed due to the virus spread.
Similarly, Dr. Theresa Tam, Canada’s top doctor, also said on Twitter that like many other special occasions and celebrations that have been impacted by COVID-19 this year, she asked that Canadians celebrate virtually.
2/2 I recognize the emotional difficulty of keeping physically apart from family and friends, especially during traditional cultural celebratory times likes these, and thank you on behalf of all Canadians, for your diligence.<a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/Diwali2020?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#Diwali2020</a>
Intensive care units see rising numbers, as long-term care deaths climb
As Saturday’s record-breaking numbers were reported, hospitals and intensive care units (ICUs) are seeing more COVID-19 patients be admitted. The increased numbers may soon prompt hospitals to pause surgeries or other procedures not deemed as urgent.
In Ontario, there are 452 people in hospital, with 106 of those in intensive care units. Of those in intensive care, 67 are on ventilators.
As of Saturday, 79 people this week have died in Ontario’s long-term care homes due to COVID-19.
At a press conference Friday, Elliott said Ontario has “significantly invested” in protecting those in long-term care and is building an “iron ring” around them. Those measures include ensuring there is personal protective equipment for staff there, that residents are protected from transmission and testing staff and residents on a regular basis, she said.
WATCH | How COVID-19 is impacting long-term care homes during the fall surge of infections:
By far most Canadian COVID-19 deaths have been in long-term-care homes, where residents and staff have faced unsafe conditions. New figures show it could be about to happen all over again. 1:59
“We’re also going to move in some of the new rapid tests that we have recently received so that people can receive answers faster, whether it’s family members or staff, to make sure they can go in to see their family members, to make sure that they are safe and don’t have COVID-19,” she said.
Dr. Nathan Stall, a geriatrician who works at Toronto’s Mount Sinai Hospital, said Friday that he and other health professionals are concerned about the elderly in long-term cares during the fall surge of COVID-19 cases. He’s been critical of the province, accusing them of failing older residents in the homes during the first and second waves of the virus.
“There are many people speaking specifically about the state of our health-care system as it pertains to ICU beds and hospital capacity but it’s really, really critical to keep the focus as well on long-term care,” he said at a news conference hosted by the Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario (RNAO).
Major outbreak at long-term care home in east Toronto
A total of 112 residents and 60 staff members are infected with COVID-19 at a Scarborough long-term care home, according to the company that runs the facility.
Sienna Senior Living reported the numbers at Rockcliffe Care Community, 3015 Lawrence Avenue E., on Friday at 9:25 a.m. The company says the current outbreak at the home, which has 204 beds, began on Nov. 2.
“Sienna’s top priority is the health and safety of residents and team members — today more than ever,” the company says in a message on its COVID-19 updates page.
“We are proud of the dedication and extraordinary work going on 24/7 in our residences, and have confidence in our processes and collective expertise to manage through this situation and play our role in helping to flatten the curve.”
MONTREAL – One expert says entry-level pay under the tentative deal between Air Canada and its pilots could be a stumbling block ahead of a union vote on the agreement.
Under their current contract, pilots earn far less in their first four years at the company before enjoying a big wage increase starting in year five.
The Air Line Pilots Association had been pushing to scrap the so-called “fixed rate” provision entirely.
But according to a copy of the contract summary obtained by The Canadian Press, the proposed deal announced Sunday would merely cut the four-year period of lower pay to two years.
John Gradek, who teaches aviation management at McGill University, says as many as 2,000 of Air Canada’s roughly 5,200 active pilots may earn entry-level wages following a recent hiring surge.
After the airline averted a strike this week, Gradek says the failure to ditch the pay grade restrictions could prompt pushback from rank-and-file flight crew and jeopardize the deal, which is up for a vote next month.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 18, 2024.
ROME (AP) — Salvatore “Totò” Schillaci, the Italy striker who was top scorer at its home World Cup in 1990, has died. He was 59.
Schillaci had been hospitalized in Palermo following treatment for colon cancer.
The Palermo Civico hospital said in a statement that Schillacci died on Wednesday morning after being admitted 11 days ago.
Schillaci scored six goals for Italy during the 1990 World Cup. He came on as a substitute during Italy’s opener against Austria, scored in a 1-0 victory, and went on to earn the Golden Boot awarded to the tournament’s top scorer. He only scored one other goal for Italy in his career.
Italian soccer federation president Gabriele Gravina announced that a minute of silence would be held in memory of Schillaci before all games in the country for the rest of the week.
“The uncontrollable celebrations, in which his face was the symbol of shared joy, will remain forever part of Italian soccer (history),” Gravina said. “Totò was a great player, a symbol of tenacious desire and redemption. … His soccer was full of passion. And that fearless spirit made everyone appreciate him and will make him immortal.”
Schillaci also won the Golden Ball award at the 1990 World Cup as the tournament’s top player ahead of Lothar Matthaus and Diego Maradona.
Schillaci played for Messina, Juventus, Inter Milan and Japanese team Jubilo Iwata during his club career.
“You made an entire nation dream during the Magical Nights of Italia ’90,” Inter said on its social media channels.
West Germany won the 1990 World Cup, beating Argentina in the final, while Italy beat England for third place with a winning penalty kick from Schillaci.
Roberto Baggio, who scored Italy’s opening goal in the third-place match, wrote on Instagram, “Ciao my dear friend.”
Having been born and raised in Palermo, the Palermo soccer team announced that it would hold a public viewing of Schillaci at its Renzo Barbera stadium ahead of the funeral, the Gazzetta dello Sport reported.
French soccer player Wissam Ben Yedder will stay free ahead of his trial on charges of sexual assault while intoxicated, one of his lawyers told The Associated Press on Wednesday.
Marie Roumiantseva said Ben Yedder will remain under strict judicial supervision after a woman filed a lawsuit for sexual assault earlier this month.
The 34-year-old Ben Yedder, a prolific striker in the French league, was briefly detained then released after the alleged incident in his car on the French Riviera. Ben Yedder had been stopped by police after he first refused to do so. He was then put in a jail cell.
After he was summoned to appear in court on Oct. 15 and placed under judicial supervision, the Nice prosecutor’s office appealed the decision not to remand the player in custody. The investigative chamber of the Court of Appeal of Aix-en-Provence did not grant this request and kept Ben Yedder under judicial supervision.
Ben Yedder attended a hearing Tuesday during which he offered to go to rehab. He has admitted he drove while under the influence of alcohol but has denied any sexual assault.
In a separate legal case last year, Ben Yedder was charged with “rape, attempted rape and sexual assault” over another alleged incident in the south of France.
Ben Yedder has been without a club since his contract with Monaco expired at the end of last season.
