Mishall RehmanThe federal government announced it will be inventing $2 billion in made-in Canada protective medical equipment. The hope is that by ordering millions of masks and thousands of ventilators, the government can meet the need as COVID-19 continues to grow across Canada.
According to worldometer.com, Canada now has 8,505 cases and 101 deaths.
Here’s a roundup of the top stories from each province:
British Columbia
Today was considered the deadliest day in BC for COVID-19. Five more people have died. The total number 24 and the cases are now more than 1,000. The province also announced its first large community outbreak. Despite the grim picture painted, health officials also pointed out that more than 500 people have recovered.
The provincial government also extended the state of emergency support to the province-wide response to the pandemic, until April 14, 2020.
Alberta
The province confirmed 64 new cases of COVID-19 bringing the total up to 754.
Saskatchewan
As of today Saskatchewan has eight new, confirmed cases of COVID-19, bringing the provincial total to 184.
Four people are currently in hospital, with three receiving inpatient care in Saskatoon. One person is in the intensive care unit in Regina.
Also, the Government of Saskatchewan announced the Ministry of Social Services Pandemic Response. The response will support vulnerable Saskatchewan citizens and the organizations that serve them by leveraging existing resources within the system, adapting policies and allocating new resources.
The Social Services Pandemic Response includes measures to provide additional funding to emergency shelters, modifies service delivery models to accommodate capacity pressures due to physical distancing and the need for clients to self-isolate.
Manitoba
Additional cases reported by the province today have Brough the total up to just above 100. Starting Wednesday all non-essential business will be closed in the province and school will be closed indefinitely for the rest of the year.
Also, at the advice of the chief provincial public health officer, Manitoba is suspending classroom learning for kindergarten to Grade 12 students indefinitely for this school year to help ‘flatten the curve’ and reduce the impact of COVID-19 throughout the province, Premier Brian Pallister and Education Minister Kelvin Goertzen announced today.
Ontario
The Ontario government announced today that schools and child care centres will remain closed until May 1 for teachers and May 4 for students, for the time being. The government will be launching a second phase of Learn at Home. The province is currently working with teachers to establish clarity for parents, enhance education supports and create opportunities for teachers to connect with their students.
Additionally, the government has made a tentative deal with Association des enseignantes et des enseignants franco-ontariens (AEFO).
Also the provincial government announced people who are being charged with an offence under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act (EMCPA) will be required to identify themselves if asked by a provincial offences officer, which includes police officers, First Nations constables, special constables and municipal by-law enforcement officers. This temporary power was approved by the Ontario government today through an emergency order to better protect people during this COVID-19 outbreak.
“It is essential that measures are in place to allow provincial offences officers to lawfully require an individual to disclose their correct name, date of birth and address in order to protect our communities,” said Sylvia Jones, Solicitor General. “By providing provincial offences officers with this temporary power to obtain identifying information under the EMCPA, they will be able to enforce emergency orders during these extraordinary times.”
Quebec
During Tuesday’s COVID-19 update, Quebec’s premier stated his fear that the province could run out of key medical supples, such as masks. Six new cases were confirmed today and the provinces’ total is above 4,000.
New Brunswick
Two additional cases have been reported in the province today. The province also reported that more than 38,000 applications have been received for the $900 income benefit for workers or self-employed people in New Brunswick who have lost their jobs due to the COVID-19 situation.
Nova Scotia
The province reported 20 more cases today, bringing the total to 147.
PEI
The island’s cases now stand at 21. During today’s briefing, the province’s top health official advised people to wash produce purchases from grocery stores and be sure to wash their hands after using the gas pump.
Newfoundland and Labrador
Today the province reported its fewest number of new cases in one day since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, health officials remain cautiously optimistic.
Nunavut
Nunavut has imposed a 24-hour security quarantine on some of its citizens currently in Winnipeg waiting to return home. The province has also issued 14-day mandatory quarantine for those returning back to the province.
