Here are the latest local, regional and national headlines on the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) for Friday, June 12, 2020:
- There have been 31,544 confirmed cases of COVID-19 across Ontario, an increase of 203 (or 0.6 per cent) from the previous day. There are 25,885 people recovered from the virus while 2,487 people have died. The number of Ontario people tested is 924,680 of which 16,359 have pending results.
- Canada’s coronavirus case total is 97,530. The country has 7,994 deaths from the virus – 167 in British Columbia, 149 in Alberta, 13 in Saskatchewan, seven in Manitoba, 2,487 in Ontario, 5,105 in Quebec, one in New Brunswick, three in Newfoundland & Labrador and 62 in Nova Scotia.
- A second coronavirus case in as many days has been declared in Prescott-Russell, bringing the total of confirmed cases in the Eastern Ontario Health Unit area to 153. Of those, 124 are resolved. There are two people in hospital, one in ICU. Eleven people have died. Total number of tests performed is 10,990 – 247 more than the previous day. The breakdown of cases is: Prescott-Russell 110 cases (86 resolved), SD&G 26 cases (23 resolved) and Cornwall 17 cases (15 resolved).
- There is one more institutional outbreak in the Eastern Ontario Health Unit area. It’s at Pinecrest Nursing Home in Plantagenet – the same home that had a previous outbreak where 11 people died. A staff member, who wasn’t showing symptoms, tested positive during routine testing (the new Prescott-Russell case noted above). All residents and staff at the home are going to be tested again. The other existing outbreak is in Limoges for a total of two outbreaks in the region.
- Social gatherings of no more than 10 people are allowed starting today (Friday) as part of stage two – increased from no more than five. As far as gatherings at your home, Medical Officer of Health Dr. Paul Roumeliotis says the 10 can include people who don’t live under your roof – but you have to keep at least two meters (six feet) away from those people at all times – indoors or outdoors.
- As some amenities start to reopen today , Cornwall’s city pools and splash pads won’t be in service. Read that story here.
- The Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit area remained at 351 confirmed cases and 50 deaths on Thursday. There are 295 cases (98 per cent) resolved. For community cases in Leeds-Grenville, there are 23 in the central region (22 resolved), 13 in the west (11 resolved) and 17 in the east (14 resolved).
- The province is moving ahead with a phased visitation plan at nursing homes and retirement homes – not in outbreak – starting next week (Thursday, June 18). Nursing homes will allow one visitor for one outdoor visit with a loved one, once per week at a minimum. Retirement homes will allow indoor and outdoor visits in designated area. The home will determine how many visits are allowed. Other residential care will allow outdoor visits of two people at a time. Visitation has been restricted at nursing homes and retirement homes since mid-March.
- “I think it’s important that this is done,” Local Medical Officer of Health Dr. Paul Roumeliotis said Thursday afternoon on the nursing home and retirement home visits. Roumeliotis says they have fielded “many complaints” from family for months, “pleading” to see their loved ones. But he says we “need to tread very carefully,” considering long term care homes are prone to spread of COVID-19.
- St. Lawrence County (which includes Massena, Canton and Potsdam) and the rest of the North Country are entering the New York State’s phase three on Friday. That will include indoor and outdoor seating at restaurants and personal care like nail salons and massages.
- The federal and provincial governments and economic development stakeholders have announced a $57 million program to help main street businesses go digital to create new revenue streams.
- The Amalgamated Transit Union Local 946, which represents Cornwall Transit workers, has joined its national body in calling for $5 billion in coronavirus pandemic aid.
- Statistics Canada is gathering data online on mothers and fathers in Canada with children younger than 15. As part of the study, StatsCan wants to know about balancing work and child care during the pandemic.
- Some communities in British Columbia, close to the Alberta border, are urging people to be kind to their Wild Rose Country neighbours. There have been reports of confrontations and people being rude to those with out-of-province licence plates.
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.