WHAT TO KNOW
Global COVID-19 cases have reached 3,624,481, up from 3,372,285 Friday at 3:30 p.m. Canada is now reporting 60,616 cases, up from 54,784 cases of COVID-19 on Friday. Ontario reports 17,923 cases, up from 16,608 cases on Friday. The province has now tested 342,060 individuals and reports 14,555 tests are currently under investigation. More information here.
A province-by-province breakdown of Canada’s COVID-19 case count can be found here.
FEDERAL
Today Prime Minister Trudeau, announced Canada had joined other countries to launch the Coronavirus Global Response. This online pledging event aims to initially raise more than $8 billion (USD) to help researchers and innovators develop solutions to test, treat, and protect people, and to prevent the further spread of COVID-19.
The Prime Minister highlighted that, to date, the Government of Canada has announced investments of over $850 million (CAD) that support this fundraising target. This includes funding to mobilize Canadian researchers’ and life sciences companies’ coronavirus research and development of medical countermeasures and support accelerated vaccine development, including through the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations and other partners. More information here.
Over the weekend Minister of Public Services and Procurement Anita Anand announced the creation of the COVID-19 Supply Council which will bring together a diverse group of leaders to provide the government with advice on the procurement of critical goods and services required as part of Canada’s COVID-19 response and recovery. More information about the Council here. More information about the Council members here.
This weekend Prime Minister Trudeau spoke with global leaders including New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and philanthropists Bill and Melinda Gates.
The government also announced an investment of $240.5 million to develop, expand, and launch virtual care and mental health tools to support Canadians. Working with provinces, territories, and stakeholders, this investment will be used to create digital platforms and applications, improve access to virtual mental health supports, and expand capacity to deliver health care virtually, including projects to reach vulnerable Canadians. These supports will also help ease the burden on our health care system, as we continue to deal with COVID-19. More information here.
The announcement came ahead of Mental Health Week which kicks off today. Prime Minister Trudeau’s statement here.
PROVINCIAL
Ontario has significantly increased testing and contact tracing capacity, allowing health experts to identify cases of COVID-19 and support efforts to stop the spread of the virus in the community, long-term care homes, and other congregate settings. In partnership with Ontario Health, Public Health Ontario, local public health units, and hospital and community laboratories, the Ontario government has developed an integrated laboratory system which has established the province as a national leader in daily testing volumes per capita. More information here.
After weeks of social distancing, Ontario’s new daily cases of COVID-19 continue to decline. At his news conference this afternoon, Premier Ford said the Province was getting close to reopening some businesses and provincial facilities including parks. While it’s still too early for a date to be set, the Premier indicated good news could come as early as next week. More information here.
TORONTO
With traffic volumes on Toronto’s roads down between 45 and 65 per cent as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the City of Toronto announced on Friday it will accelerate as many important construction projects as possible and continue maintenance work to renew aging transportation and water infrastructure, as well as improve some facilities. More information here.
In addition, the City of Toronto announced over the weekend that it has planned three pothole repair blitzes in May. The first blitz was on May 2, and weather permitting, the next two will occur on Saturday, May 9 and 23. More information here.
Seasonal yard waste collection was suspended in March as part of the City’s COVID-19 response, but it will resume regular yard waste collection this week. By fully resuming this seasonal collection, the City is helping residents continue to stay home as much as possible by enabling gardening and outdoor work. The resumption of service also coincides with the reopening of garden centres. More information here.
INTERNATIONAL
| Country | Total cases at 3:30 p.m. | Total cases Friday at 3:30 p.m. | Increase from previous | Cases per million | Total recovered | Total deaths |
| Global | 3,624,481 | 3,372,285 | 252,196 | 465 | 1,180,073 | 250,987 |
| United States | 1,202,769 | 1,114,556 | 88,213 | 3,634 | 181,901 | 69,168 |
| Spain | 248,301 | 242,988 | 5,313 | 5,311 | 151,633 | 25,428 |
| Italy | 211,938 | 207,428 | 4,510 | 3,505 | 82,879 | 29,079 |
| United Kingdom | 190,584 | 177,454 | 13,130 | 2,807 | — | 28,734 |
| Germany | 165,786 | 163,759 | 2,027 | 1,979 | 132,700 | 6,893 |
| Brazil | 102,719 | 87,364 | 15,355 | 483 | 42,991 | 7,106 |
| Iran | 98,647 | 95,646 | 3,001 | 1,174 | 79,379 | 6,277 |
| China | 82,880 | 82,874 | 6 | 58 | 77,766 | 4,633 |
| Canada | 60,616 | 54,784 | 5,832 | 1,606 | 25,422 | 3,842 |
| India | 46,437 | 35,043 | 11,394 | 34 | 12,842 | 1,566 |
| Chile | 20,643 | 17,008 | 3,635 | 1,080 | 10,415 | 270 |
| Australia | 6,825 | 6,767 | 58 | 268 | 5,859 | 95 |