Newfoundland and Saskatchewan have recorded its first deaths from the coronavirus, while an Ontario care facility for seniors is devastated by nine deaths. Hard-hit New York City is constructing a field hospital in Central Park. Get the latest on what’s happening around the world and in Canada.
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The latest:
- Justin Trudeau says Canadian businesses that see 30% drop in revenue will qualify for subsidy, regardless of number of employees.
- Canada’s top public health officer says coming week a crucial period in COVID-19 struggle.
- Air Canada temporarily laying off more than 15,000 workers.
- New York health-care system overwhelmed; field hospital built in Central Park.
- Tokyo Olympics rescheduled to July 23, 2021.
- How deadly is COVID-19? Why it’s different in every country.
- A COVID-19 glossary: What the terms mean and some subtle differences.
- INTERACTIVE | Tracking the spread of coronavirus.
Canadian businesses and non-profit organizations that see a drop of at least 30 per cent in revenue due to COVID-19 will qualify for the government’s 75 per cent wage subsidy program, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Monday.
The number of employees will not be a factor in eligibility for the subsidy, Trudeau said at his daily media briefing outside his Rideau Cottage residence.
That reassurance came after Canada’s chief public health officer, Dr. Theresa Tam, urged Canadians over the weekend to “stay strong” and not let up on measures like physical distancing and proper hand hygiene, saying it will be a critical week in the fight against COVID-19’s spread.
In eastern Ontario, meanwhile, nine residents of a long-term care facility have died of COVID-19 complications since early last week, and the facility’s medical director said Monday they are all believed to be linked to the virus.
CBC Toronto previously reported that nearly three dozen staff members at Pinecrest Nursing Home in Bobcaygeon, Ont., have experienced COVID-19 symptoms.
Across Canada, a domestic travel ban for those showing symptoms went into effect at noon ET Monday.
Abroad, the federal government says it has arranged for Canadians to fly home from several countries, including Honduras, El Salvador and Haiti. It has also arranged flights for Canadians in Sudan, Ghana and Cameroon, who will travel to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Monday to catch an overnight flight to Toronto.
Global Affairs Canada says more Canadians will come home from Spain, Ecuador, Algeria, Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Madagascar, Hungary and Senegal in the coming days.
On Monday evening, Liberal MP Sukh Dhaliwal tweeted that Canada has also arranged flights for Canadians in India and Pakistan.
1/ I’m pleased to share the latest update on #Canadians trying to get home from #India & #Pakistan
Commercial flights have been arranged from Karachi, Lahore, Mumbai & Dehli over the coming week#cdnpoli #SurreyBC #COVID19 #CovidCanada #bcpoli #CanadaIndia #CanadaPakistan pic.twitter.com/ny9A3WLIGW
At sea, a cruise ship carrying nearly 250 Canadians is on the move after being stranded off the coast of Panama.
The MS Zaandam has passed through the Panama Canal after being anchored on its west side with four dead and nearly 200 passengers and crew showing flu-like symptoms. Holland America says several people onboard have tested positive for the coronavirus. It has been joined, and is being assisted, by its sister ship the Rotterdam.
Meanwhile, Air Canada will temporarily lay off more than 15,000 unionized workers beginning this week. The company says the two-month furloughs will affect about one-third of management and administrative and support staff, including head office employees, in addition to the front-line workers.
‘In the eye of a storm’
COVID-19 is the illness caused by the novel coronavirus, which first emerged in China in late 2019. For most people, it causes mild or moderate symptoms. Health officials have said older people and those with underlying health issues are most at risk of severe disease and death, but they caution that younger people can also develop serious illness.
The pandemic has countries scrambling to contain the spread of the virus and quickly scale up health systems struggling with a shortage of protective gear. Governments are also trying to tackle the economic fallout that has accompanied the pandemic as many businesses cut jobs, scale back operations or close.
As countries adopt measures such as physical distancing, the World Health Organization (WHO) urged governments to ensure that the needs of vulnerable people were met — including food, sanitation and other essential services.
“In implementing these measures, it’s vital to respect the dignity and welfare of all people,” said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO’s director general, during Monday’s daily coronavirus news briefing.
WATCH l WHO chief says ‘humility and kindness’ vital in fight against COVID-19:
While stressing the importance of scientific and public health tools, WHO also called for humility and kindness in the fight against the coronavirus. 2:00
Tedros said he was encouraged by the efforts of G20 countries to work together “to improve the production and equitable supply of essential products.”
“In the eye of a storm like COVID, scientific and public health tools are essential, but so are humility and kindness.
“With solidarity, humility and assuming the best of each other, we can — and we will — overcome this together,” Tedros said.
Read on for a look at what’s happening in Canada, the U.S. and some other hard-hit areas.
Here’s what’s happening in the provinces and territories
Canada’s provinces and territories reported more than 7,400 confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases — of which more than 1,100 cases have been listed as recovered or resolved — though public health officials have cautioned that those numbers don’t capture the full picture. That’s because there are people who haven’t been tested, people who are still being investigated as possible cases, and people who are awaiting test results.
There have been 92 COVID-19 deaths reported in Canada, plus another two COVID-19-related deaths of Canadians abroad — one in Japan and one in Brazil.
WATCH l Numbers will rise, but extent of increase unclear:
Officials are watching to see if physical distancing has had any effect on the pace of infections, says Dr. Michael Gardam, chief of staff at Humber River Hospital in Toronto. 5:55
For a more detailed look at what’s happening in Canada, including detail on the limitations of relying on recorded cases, visit CBC’s interactive case tracker.
In Ontario, CBC Toronto has obtained copies of COVID-19 reports issued daily by Critical Care Services Ontario, a branch of the province’s Ministry of Health. The latest report, from Saturday, shows 92 patients in critical-care wards have tested positive for COVID-19, while another 342 ICU patients are considered “suspected” cases.
This means confirmed or suspected COVID-19 cases now account for roughly one out of every four patients currently in Ontario’s intensive care units — the first crucial medical resource to be overwhelmed by the spread of the virus in Italy, Spain and New York City. Read more about what’s happening in Ontario.
Quebec is reporting another spike in cases — there were 590 new positive cases announced on Monday, bringing the provincial total to 3,430. The province said Monday three more people have died from the virus, bringing that total to 25.
Premier François Legault says the brightest stat of the day was that 78 people were in intensive care, an increase of just six cases. Legault says that, to give retail employees a break, stores will be closing on Sundays in April, with only pharmacies, gas stations, convenience stores and takeout restaurants remaining open. Read more about what’s happening in Quebec, including stepped-up enforcement of public health orders in Montreal.
Newfoundland and Labrador recorded its first death due to the novel coronavirus. The patient — a retired man in the Eastern Health region — died Sunday, about three days after being hospitalized. Read more about what’s happening in the province.
Following two years of catastrophic flooding, COVID-19 border closures and physical distancing rules are the latest threats to New Brunswick farmers. Questions over how foreign workers will enter Canada and how long they will have to self-isolate are especially worrying, while the president of the Agricultural Alliance of New Brunswick is asking for the entire food-supply chain to be declared an essential service in order to protect the industry. Read more about what’s happening in N.B.
Prince Edward Island’s businesses and health resources are being forced to adapt as COVID-19 changes islanders’ needs and buying habits. Internet providers are reporting an uptick in demand, mental health and addictions support have moved online and rural grocery stores are experiencing significantly higher volumes as people attempt to shop local. Read more about what’s happening in P.E.I.
WATCH | Canadian woman describes what it’s like to have COVID-19:
Montreal’s Melanie Fournier has COVID-19 and says anyone who thinks the virus is overblown should take it very seriously: ‘This is not what you think it is.’ 10:01
Teachers in British Columbia are back on the job Monday, working on plans to teach students from home. To that end, on Friday the province launched a new education resource website for caregivers, who will likely be helping with their child’s education for the remainder of the school year. Also over the weekend, grocery stores were told they should not allow customers to use their own reusable bags, and the B.C. government announced it is sending $3 million in emergency funding to the province’s food banks, which are facing an increase in demand as people struggle to make ends meet. Read more about what’s