Cristina Florentina BraiaIn the last 24 hours, there were 966,000 applicants for the income assistance through the Canada Emergency Response Benefit -CERB ($500 a week for up to 16 weeks), which means roughly 670 applications each minute.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the government is teaming up with Canadian companies to produce up to 30,000 ventilators — a critical piece of equipment in the battle against COVID-19. He did not say when they will be ready.
As of April 7th, 2020, there are 17,063 cases of coronavirus in Canada, with 39 more deaths since yesterday, meaning a total of 360.
You can find below the provincial COVID-19 rundown:
British Columbia
There are 1,266 confirmed coronavirus cases in B.C. (including 39 deaths, 783 resolved).
So far, more than 900 spaces have been secured at 23 sites, including hotels, motels, and community centres throughout B.C, for supporting British Columbians who need a place to self-isolate and to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
“In partnership with health authorities and local government, these new spaces are helping us mitigate the effect of this virus and support our health-care system in communities across the province,” said Selina Robinson, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing.
Alberta
The Government is taking immediate action to address the need to provide greater clarity and improved coordination between local and provincial response efforts by amending the Emergency Management Act, as follows:
- Allowing states of local emergency to last for 90 days.
- Providing clear language that it is an offence to be non-compliant with orders made under states of local or provincial emergency.
- Clarifying that the minister has the power to modify a state of emergency without terminating it.
- Clarifying that a provincially declared state of emergency can be for a pandemic in general, and not just for pandemic influenza.
The chief medical officer of health is ordering a ban on visitors to long-term care centres, licensed group homes, and other facilities as part of the ongoing work to limit the spread of COVID-19 and protect Albertans.
Family, friends, and religious leaders will still be allowed to visit a resident who is dying. In these cases, only one visitor can enter at a time, and they cannot interact with any other residents while in the building. Exceptions will also be made if an essential visitor is needed to provide specialized care for a resident.
Government House Leader, Jason Nixon has called Alberta MLAs back to the legislature to debate relevant legislation related to the COVID-19 pandemic and supporting vulnerable Albertans.
So far, there have been 1,348 cases of COVID-19 identified in the province. This includes 24 deaths and 361 cases solved.
Saskatchewan
There are 253 confirmed coronavirus cases today in Saskatchewan (including three deaths, 81 resolved).
Currently, there are four people in the hospital in the province: two people are receiving inpatient care in Saskatoon, while two people are now in intensive care – one in Regina and one in Saskatoon.
Fourteen more people have recovered from COVID-19 in Saskatchewan, bringing the provincial total to 81.
112 cases are travellers.
Manitoba
Today, the Manitoba government is seeking the following items to support the province’s response COVID-19: N95 masks, surgical masks, gloves, medical gowns, and additional medical supplies to aid in the fight against COVID-19.
The businesses and individuals able to provide products or services are being asked to contact the provincial government immediately.
If you are interested in donating the requested items, reach out by visiting https://sharedhealthmb.ca/covid19/supply-donations/.
**Public health officials advise 13 additional cases of COVID-19 have been identified today, bringing the total number of lab-confirmed positive and probable positive cases in Manitoba to 217. In addition, a third death has been reported.
A total of 14,280 tests have been performed since early February.
The first Community COVID-19 Testing Site and Assessment Clinic in Winnipeg will open at 9 a.m. Wednesday, April 8, at the St. James Assiniboia Centennial Pool and Fitness Centre at 644 Parkdale St.
When this site opens tomorrow, Access Winnipeg West will once again focus on primary care and community health services. It will no longer be a designated community testing site for COVID 19.
People seeking testing should still call Health Links-Info Santé first or be referred by their primary care provider.
Premier Brian Pallister and Economic Development and Training Minister Ralph Eichler announced today that the province is suspending repayment of Manitoba Student Aid loans for six months (starting with 1st of April) to reduce the financial burden on post-secondary students during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The overall impact of COVID-19 on Manitoba Student Aid will be assessed as the situation evolves.
There are a total of 204 confirmed coronavirus cases today (including three deaths, 21 resolved), 14 presumptive.
Ontario
Ontario hospital intensive care units now have nearly 2,000 beds equipped with ventilators to help care for COVID-19 patients, an increase of nearly 50 per cent from March, according to data obtained by CBC News.
The Ontario government is taking further action to stop the spread of COVID-19 by actively recruiting health care workers to increase the frontline capacity of hospitals, clinics, and assessment centres. Today, the province is launching a new online tool that will help match skilled frontline workers with employers.
“Since the beginning of this outbreak, we have heard from thousands of volunteers who want to help in any way they can,” said Christine Elliott, deputy premier and minister of health. “We are very grateful for those stepping up during these unprecedented times. That’s why we are using everything possible to support these frontline healthcare workers as they fight the spread of this virus.”
Ontario has 4,726 coronavirus confirmed cases (including 153 deaths, 1,802 resolved)
Quebec
There was a major outbreak in a nursing home in Verdun today, with eight deaths.
According to quebec.ca, another 28 people infected with the virus were reported, bringing the total to 9,340 cases in Quebec,150 being the number of deaths, 720 resolved.
Today in Montreal, there are 4.407 cases, and the city canceled all cultural, sporting events until July.
New Brunswick
Today in New Brunswick, there were registered two more cases of coronavirus, bringing the total number to 105. To date, 39 people have recovered.
Testing criteria for COVID-19 in New Brunswick is being expanded, continuing to focus upon the protection of health-care workers, patients in hospitals and nursing homes, as well as first responders.
The employers in New Brunswick whose businesses have been impacted by COVID-19 can now apply to the provincial government for loans for working capital.
“We understand that this pandemic is impacting New Brunswick business,” said Premier Blaine Higgs. “We acted swiftly to address the needs of the business community and support these employers during this challenging time.”
A total of $50 million has been allocated for two distinct loan programs for working capital.
Applications for the New Brunswick Workers Emergency Income Benefit will end at 8 p.m. on Thursday, April 9. The one-time $900 benefit was created to help to bridge the time between when people lose their employment or close their business to when they receive their federal benefit.
To date, the provincial government has provided more than $20 million in benefit payments, more than 60,000 applicants have registered.
Nova Scotia
To date, Nova Scotia has 10,621 negative test results, 310 positive COVID-19 test results, and one death, with 17 new cases being identified in the last 24 hours.
Confirmed cases range in age from under ten to over 90. Eleven individuals are currently in hospital. Sixty-six individuals have now recovered, and their cases of COVID-19 are considered resolved. Cases have been identified in all parts of the province.
While most cases in Nova Scotia have been connected to travel or a known case, there is now community spread, which is why the Government of NS has removed travel as a requirement for testing for COVID-19.
Visit https://811.novascotia.ca/ to determine if you should call 811 for assessment. Anyone referred to an assessment site by 811 will be tested.
Prince Edward Island
Today marked the fifth day in a row with no additional positive cases of COVID-19 in Prince Edward Island.
By date, there are 22 confirmed (including eight resolved).
Newfoundland & Labrador:
Today there are 228 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Newfoundland & Labrador (including two deaths, 49 resolved).
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, visitor centres at the Mistaken Point Ecological Reserve and World Heritage Site, Cape St Mary’s Ecological Reserve, and Salmonier Nature Park will remain closed until further notice.
Yukon
Today in Yukon, there is a total of 7 coronavirus-positive confirmed cases (including four resolved).
Northwest Territories:
By date, there are five confirmed cases of coronavirus (including one resolved).
Nunavut
No confirmed case of coronavirus COVID-19 in Nunavut.
Around the World
Japan’s prime minister, Shinzo Abe, has declared a month-long state of emergency in response to the coronavirus pandemic and unveiled a record stimulus package aimed at steering the world’s third-largest economy through its biggest crisis since the war.
The state of emergency will last until May 6, 2020, and initially apply to Tokyo and six other prefectures: Chiba, Kanagawa, and Saitama prefectures, which border the capital, Osaka, and neighbouring Hyogo in the west, and Fukuoka in the south-west.
Spain has registered today 743 new deaths, the first increase in 5 days.
Italy remains the worst affected country, with 16,523 deaths so far, followed by Spain, where the death toll is 13,798. The U.S. is now third worst-affected, with 10,993 deaths – 3,485 in New York City alone.
Several French cities, including Nice, have announced that face masks will become mandatory for going out. Also, the French authorities have tightened their lockdown measures in the capital by banning Parisians from outdoor sports activity between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. …
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.
