Ministry of Health coronavirus situation report #97

Situation:   

• 421 new cases were reported today in Ontario, bringing the cumulative total to 16,608 (this includes 10,825 resolved cases and 1,121 deaths).
• In Ontario, a total of 294,054 tests have been completed, with tests performed at Public Health Ontario Laboratories and non-Public Health Laboratories. There are currently 11,975 tests under investigation.
• 1,017 patients are currently hospitalized with COVID-19; 225 are in ICU; and 175 are in ICU on a ventilator.

 Actions Taken

• The Ontario government announced today that it is allowing certain businesses and workplaces to reopen on Monday, May 4 at 12:01 a.m. as long as they comply with strict public health measures and operate safely during the COVID-19 outbreak. Those permitted to start up include seasonal businesses and some essential construction projects.
• The Government of Ontario issued new temporary emergency orders under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act to support the immediate needs of the province’s hospitals and health care workers. Further details on these orders can be found here.
• The Assistive Devices Program has resumed accepting new applications for funding for devices and supplies. Attached are the memos sent to stakeholders on April 29, 2020. Since March 24, the program has been making payments to clients and to registered vendors, to allow the continued dispensing of needed supplies and devices. Other changes, such as automatic extension of client grants and reducing requirements for personal contact, had also been put in place.
• A new guidance document has been created for Labour, Delivery and Newborn Care. It is available on the ministry’s website.
• Guidance for Community-Based Mental Health and Addiction Service Providers in Residential Settings has been uploaded to the ministry’s website.