Here are the latest local, regional and national headlines on the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) for Friday, April 3, 2020:
- There have been 2,793 confirmed cases of COVID-19 across Ontario, an increase of 401 cases (or 16.8 per cent) from the previous day. There are 831 people recovered from the virus while 53 people have died. The number of Ontario people tested is 62,733 of which 2,052 have pending results.
- Canada’s confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 case total is 10,132. The country has 127 COVID-19 related deaths – 25 in British Columbia, 11 in Alberta, three in Saskatchewan, one in Manitoba, 53 in Ontario, 33 in Quebec and one in Newfoundland & Labrador.
- Tests for some sort of viral outbreak at Glen-Stor-Dun Lodge came back negative for COVID-19 and 16 other strains of viruses. “It’s not uncommon for us to have an outbreak and not find anything,” Dr. Paul Roumeliotis said, noting there are “a couple hundred viruses” that can cause respiratory illness.
- Being sheltered in your own home or working on the front line during the pandemic can present its own set of challenges. The Ontario government announced Thursday it is putting $12 million into online mental health supports. There’s also $2.6 million to hire psychologists and mental health workers specifically for the O.P.P.
- The Upper Canada District School Board is using four schools as emergency child care centers to fill the need for children of front line health care and essential workers. They are Chesterville Public School, Commonwealth Public School in Brockville, Pleasant Corners Public School in Vankleek Hill and South Branch Elementary School in Kemptville.
- The Mohawk Council of Akwesasne Emergency Operation Center is distributing drive-through emergency food packages to community members today (April 3) on a first-come, first-served basis. The pickups are taking place at the public schools on Cornwall Island, Snye and St. Regis from 11 a.m. until noon for elders only and then after noon for everyone else.
- More details on Ontario’s $200 million social services funding package and what the City of Cornwall will be getting. Mayor Bernadette Clement says the city received word from Ontario Municipal Affairs Minister Steve Clark Wednesday night, it will get $4.2 million. Now, the work begins to get that money into people’s hands.
- Even while all levels of government are urging social distancing and staying at home, Mayor Clement says she was troubled driving in the city Thursday. While there are essential services running, “it felt like business as usual in terms of levels of traffic on my way into city hall. I’m not satisfied with that. It makes me nervous, very nervous,” she said on Facebook Live Thursday night.
- Akwesasne Mohawk Police say there’s a scam in the community. People are going to homes claiming to be health professionals and giving COVID-19 tests at a cost.
Have a story or news release related to COVID-19? Send it along for possible inclusion in a future digest on Cornwall Newswatch. Email editor@cornwallnewswatch.com. Please put “COVID-19 Digest” in the subject line.