Here are the latest local, regional and national headlines on the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) for Sunday, April 5, 2020:
- There have been 3,630 confirmed cases of COVID-19 across Ontario, an increase of 375 cases (or 11.5 per cent) from the previous day. There are 1,219 people recovered from the virus while 94 people have died. The number of Ontario people tested is 71,338 of which 1,336 have pending results.
- Canada’s confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 case total is 13,904. The country has 231 COVID-19 related deaths – 38 in British Columbia, 18 in Alberta, three in Saskatchewan, two in Manitoba, 94 in Ontario, 75 in Quebec and one in Newfoundland & Labrador.
- Cornwall, SD&G and Prescott-Russell added three more positive COVID-19 cases to its tally on Saturday, bringing the total number of cases to 34. Sixteen (16) of those people have recovered from the illness.
- The House of Lazarus in North Dundas has seen use of its food bank jump 30 per cent in the last two weeks of March. The HOL Operation Backpack, which gives food to at-risk students every Friday during the school year, is continuing. It’s now a pickup program at the HOL office in M ountain or the South Dundas Municipal Center in Morrisburg on Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Premier Doug Ford sent out another emergency alert to cell phones, TV and radio stations Saturday afternoon urging people to stay in their homes. He says only essential workers should be leaving their homes. The only trips for others should be groceries and necessities of life.
- Canada’s Chief Medical Officer says people shouldn’t be concerned about covering their face during the pandemic. Dr. Theresa Tam says that should only be the case if people can’t keep outside two meters (six feet) from other people in public.
- Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he will be speaking with U.S. President Donald Trump over a U.S. ordered ban on exports of COVID-19 supplies, mostly the N-95 masks. Trudeau says he’s not looking any any retaliatory action.
- Warm weather and pollution-free days are proving to be too tempting for Italians. After almost a month in lockdown in Italy, thousands of locals tried to slip outdoors and get some fresh air – and ended up getting tickets.
- Another celebrity has tested positive. It’s American singer-songwriter Christopher Cross, who says the illness is possibly the worst he’s ever had.
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.