Newswatch COVID-19 Digest: Friday May 29, 2020

In this provided photo, a yellow line shows the border around the Tsiionkwanonhso:te nursing home on the southern shore of Cornwall Island. Members of the public are not allowed to go inside the yellow line as residents try to get outdoors and enjoy the weather during the coronavirus outbreak. (MCA via Newswatch Group)

Here are the latest local, regional and national headlines on the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) for Friday, May 29, 2020:

  • There have been 26,866 confirmed cases of COVID-19 across Ontario, an increase of 383 cases (or 1.4 per cent) from the previous day. There are 20,673 people recovered from the virus while 2,189 people have died. The number of Ontario people tested is 662,162 of which 11,868 have pending results.
  • Canada’s coronavirus case total is 88,512. The country has 6,877 deaths from the virus – 164 in British Columbia, 143 in Alberta, 10 in Saskatchewan, seven in Manitoba, 2,189 in Ontario, 4,302 in Quebec, three in Newfoundland & Labrador and 59 in Nova Scotia.
  • The Eastern Ontario Health Unit added one newly confirmed positive case in SD&G to bring the regional total to 147. The number of people recovered also increased by one to 92. Local testing was up by 100 on Thursday to 8,105 tests. There have been 11 deaths. The breakdown of cases are 15 in Cornwall (15 resolved), 25 in SD&G (20 resolved) and 107 in Prescott-Russell (57 resolved). There are three people in hospital, two of those are in ICU. There are two active outbreaks.
  • Statistics for the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit stayed steady Thursday at 341 confirmed cases and 49 deaths. Ninety per cent of COVID-19 cases (264) have recovered.
  • The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe is dealing with a fourth positive case of COVID-19 in Akwesasne. The latest case, reported to the Emergency Operations Center, involves a community member who is in isolation at home and receiving medical care. Health officials are doing contact tracing.
  • At first it was no window visits. Now, it’s no property visits at Akwesasne’s nursing homes. The expanded restriction was in place for a few weeks but has been reiterated in a community update Thursday with this week’s warm weather. The rule allows residents to be able to get outdoors and enjoy the nice weather while socially distancing from other residents. Virtual meetings with residents are still available.
  • Cornwall Transit is encouraging passengers to wear face masks while using the bus. It follows the advice of the provincial health ministry earlier this month, which advised people to wear masks if they’re in places where they can’t socially distance by at least two meters (six feet).
  • South Glengarry has pulled the plug on its summer recreation programs due to the coronavirus outbreak. The cancellation includes all summer camps, sports leagues, programs and facility bookings. That means almost 1,000 kids will miss out on spring and summer programs. Refunds are being issued.
  • New Brunswick is dealing with a new outbreak of COVID-19. A health care worker travelled outside the province and returned – didn’t self-quarantine – and ended up infecting at least two other people.
  • While the military will still help out in long term care homes in Ontario and Quebec, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says it’s not a long term solution to issues at the facilities. Quebec asked for the military to stay on until September – the feds and the military are looking at an exit strategy.
  • Limited visitor access at Thousand Islands National Park near Mallorytown will start Monday (June 1). Most mainland day-use trails, the boat launch at Mallorytown Landing and some docks, trails and overnight mooring at select locations will be allowed.

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.