Cristina Florentina BraiaToday the Canadian Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) came in to effect for Canadians that do not qualify for Employment Insurance.
Canada’s chief public health officer Dr. Theresa Tam suggested Canadians “wear non-medical masks when in public as ‘an additional measure’ to protect other people amid the pandemic.”
As of today, the 6th of April 2020, there are 16,498 coronavirus cases in Canada, from which 321 are deaths.
Below is the provincial rundown of what is happening in each province:
British Columbia
Dr. Bonnie Henry, Provincial Health Officer of B.C., advises today that “once there is community transmission, there is no boundary to the spread of COVID-19. Simply put, the risk is everywhere”. “No one is immune from this disease, but everyone can make a difference. Every British Columbian has a part to play to flatten the curve.”
One thousand two hundred three confirmed coronavirus cases in B.C. today (including 38 deaths, 673 resolved).
Alberta
Alberta is taking aggressive measures to help slow the spread of COVID-19. The number of COVID-19 total cases in Alberta is 1,348 as of April 6th, 2020. Jason Copping, Minister of Labor and Immigration, stated today that “Changes to the Employment Standards Code will ensure Albertans can care for themselves and their loved ones during these challenging times while providing flexibility to Alberta’s job creators.”
For more information, visit here: Supporting Albertans during COVID-19.
Saskatchewan
As of April 6, 2020, Saskatchewan has four new, confirmed cases of COVID-19, bringing the provincial total to 253. One hundred and sixty-nine of the cases are considered active.
Manitoba
One additional case of COVID-19 has been identified today, bringing the total number in Manitoba to 204 virus-infected people.
The data also shows:
- 11 individuals are currently hospitalized including seven in intensive care,
- 17 individuals have recovered, and
- The total number of deaths reported in Manitoba is two.
- As of April 6, a total of 13,476 tests have been performed.
Ontario
The Ontario government is deferring $15 million in property taxes for people and businesses in parts of Northern Ontario located outside of municipal boundaries. This tax deferral builds on the $10 billion in cash flow supports made available to people and businesses as part of Ontario’s Action Plan: Responding to COVID-19.
Rod Phillips, the Minister of Finance said, “Our government is taking action to protect every person and every business across Ontario during this unprecedented time, including remote parts of Northern Ontario.
“All communities are feeling the impacts of this global outbreak. That’s why we’re providing a measure of relief for the owners of over 63,000 residential and business properties outside municipal boundaries.”
There are 4,347 confirmed cases today in Ontario.
Quebec
In Québec, to date, 8 580 confirmed cases* of COVID‑19, including 121 deaths, have been reported, the most affected area being Montreal with 3 977 cases. For now, the spread of the coronavirus is under control, but the coming weeks will be critical. Community transmission of the virus now extends to all regions of Quebec.
New Brunswick
Two more cases of coronavirus today, the total number of people infected until now being 103. Most of the cases are registered in the Moncton area.
Of the 103 cases, 59 are travel-related, 33 are close contacts of confirmed cases, six cases are the result of community transmission, and five cases remain under investigation.
Law enforcement officials have been actively enforcing the emergency order to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. In most cases, people are complying with the directives, and there are a small number of cases in which officers have had to issue tickets. Nine tickets were issued to people failing to comply with the emergency order, fines ranging from $292.50 to $10,200.
The provincial government has established a pandemic task force to help combat COVID-19, the novel coronavirus. It will be vested with decision-making authority about the pandemic response for all aspects of the health-care system, including the regional health authorities, Extra-Mural and Ambulance New Brunswick, primary care, and the long-term care system.
A clinical group of experts with relevant practice experience will be called upon as appropriate to provide advice that will inform or validate the decisions of the task force.
“The situation demands that the province be able to react rapidly and effectively to ensure we minimize the impacts of this insidious virus on our citizens,” said Health Minister Hugh J. Flemming.
Nova Scotia
As of today, April 6, Nova Scotia has 293 confirmed cases of COVID-19. Thirty-one new cases were newly identified.
New measures announced today:
- removing travel as a requirement to be referred for testing for COVID-19 now that community spread is present in Nova Scotia. An assessment is still required through 811, which will refer you to an assessment centre if required. Visit here (https://811.novascotia.ca/) for more information
- Dr. Strang has directed licensed long-term care homes to follow measures to further prevent the introduction of the virus into these homes and to reduce its spread if introduced to the facility. The directive includes a number of provisions, including cleaning, monitoring of residents and staff, testing, and reporting. The directive and the measures were provided to the sector today and are effective immediately.
Prince Edward Island
Four days in a row with no additional positive cases of COVID-19 in Prince Edward Island. By day, there are 22 confirmed (including six resolved).
Newfoundland & Labrador
An amendment has been made to the Shops’ Closing Regulations to allow select stores to open for business on Good Friday (April 10), providing customers more time to shop in advance of Easter Sunday.
As a result of the amendment, stores that are not exempt under the Regulations, but are deemed by order of the Chief Medical Officer of Health as services essential to the life, health or personal safety of individuals and animals, will be provided the option to open for business on Good Friday. These stores are not required to open on Good Friday but will have the option to do so if they wish.
By now, there are 217 confirmed cases of coronavirus (including one death, 28 resolved).
Yukon
Yukon’s licensed child care centres and family day homes will receive additional funding to provide care to children during the COVID-19 response and beyond it. The Government of Yukon will cover staff wages as well as eligible building expenses, including rent, utilities, and cleaning costs. The funding will support child care operators and enable them to avoid charging parent fees as Yukon responds to the COVID-19 pandemic.
There are six confirmed cases of coronavirus by now (including four resolved).
Northwest Territories
By today, there are five confirmed cases of coronavirus (including one resolved).
Around the World
Queen Elizabeth II addressed the country in a rare televised speech that evoked the darkest days of World War II. Her remarks were taped at Windsor Castle, where she has sequestered herself against a virus that has infected at least 40,000 people in Britain, including her eldest son and heir, Prince Charles.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been moved to ICU after he was hospitalized yesterday in London. Johnson had been diagnosed with coronavirus a few days ago.
The head of the World Health Organisation (WHO) has condemned as racist comments by two French doctors, who suggested a vaccine for the COVID-19 virus could be tested in Africa. “Africa can’t and won’t be a testing ground for any vaccine,” said Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
The number of new infections in Italy increased by 1,941 over the past day, the lowest increase seen in the country since 30 March, and a sign the situation may be improving.
Bill Gates states he will spend billions of dollars on the development of the COVID-19 vaccine. On Sunday news broke that a four-year-old tiger at the Bronx Zoo, New York, became the first animal in the United States to test positive for coronavirus.
…..
While many families get together for Easter or Passover celebrations, people should not let their guard down by gathering this year. Working together to maintain social distancing and staying at home, unless you have to go out, are the only ways to slow the spread and flatten the curve of COVID-19.
Stay safe!
For more information, access worldometer.com, canada.ca, and don’t miss Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s daily briefing at 11.15 ET.
