Here are the latest local, regional and national headlines on the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) for Sunday, April 12, 2020:
- There have been 6,648 confirmed cases of COVID-19 across Ontario, an increase of 411 cases (or 6.6 per cent) from the previous day. There are 2,858 people recovered from the virus while 253 people have died. The number of Ontario people tested is 96,321 of which 1,517 have pending results.
- Canada’s confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 case total is 23,318. The country has 653 COVID-19 related deaths – 58 in British Columbia, 40 in Alberta, four in Saskatchewan, four in Manitoba, 253 in Ontario, 289 in Quebec, three in Newfoundland & Labrador and two in Nova Scotia.
- Cornwall, SD&G and Prescott-Russell added another nine cases on Saturday bringing to total to 58 positive COVID-19 cases. There are seven people hospitalized, three in the intensive care unit (ICU). Ten people have recovered, the health unit reported.
- The province had extended its emergency order another two weeks until April 23. The order under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act closes non-essential workplaces, bars, restaurants (except for pick-up and take out) and places limits on social gatherings.
- The Ontario government says it has received more than 7,500 emergency supply submissions which have resulted in $90 million in purchases of equipment and supplies like gloves, masks, face shields and hand sanitizer.
- Parliament had a special meeting on Saturday where it passed the $73 billion wage subsidy package for businesses. The government will cover 75 per cent of an employee’s first $58,700 of their salary, up to $847 per week up to 12 weeks.
- Olymel will start up its Quebec slaughtering plant on Tuesday after being shut down for two weeks. Nine employees had tested positive for coronavirus. Olymel will begin recalling its 1,000 workers in Yamachiche, near Trois-Rivieres. The plant closure had no effect on Cornwall operations.
- Quebec Premier Francois Legault says a police investigation is underway after 31 elderly residents died at a private long term care home in Dorval since the middle of March. The home also had at least five victims who had COVID-19. Legault believes there was negligence on the part of management.
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.