Community Care + Info + Resources – Jan 2021
COVID-19: Ongoing Tips to Reduce Virus Spread
As we begin to again restrengthen our public health measures, we will all continue to live in this new normal. Wearing a mask or a face covering is mandatory in all public indoor spaces and on the TTC. Our commitment must be to continue minimizing the impact of COVID-19, especially on our most vulnerable residents, while reducing negative social, economic, and broader health impacts on our community. In the coming months what this means for our residents is:
- Continuing to work remotely, wherever possible;
- Maintaining physical distance from people outside our household or social circle/bubble;
- Avoiding crowds and congregations in closed indoor settings;
- Wearing a cloth mask or face covering in any public indoor setting, including stores, transit, offices; and where
- physical distancing is difficult to maintain.
- Staying home whenever we are sick for any reason.
Face Masks and Coverings Offer Best Protection
Image description: Informational graphic from Toronto Public Health titled, “Face Masks & Coverings Offer Best Protection.” Through visual examples, the graphic shows recommended and not recommended ways of wearing a mask. The recommended way for wearing a mask says, “should cover your nose, mouth, and chin without gaping.” The following are not recommended: face shields, masks with exhalation valves, or clear plastic masks.
How to Safely Wear a Mask
Image description: Toronto Public Health infographic about how to safely wear a mask. Information on the infographic is listed below.
- Do wash your hands before putting it on and taking it off
- Do make sure it fits to cover your mouth and nose
- Do wash your cloth mask in the laundry
- Do clean surfaces that a dirty mask touches
- Don’t touch your face or mask while using it
- Don’t use masks on children under 2 or those who can’t breathe with them on
- Don’t share your mask with others
- Don’t wear medical masks, keep them for health care workers
- The best protection is to stay home, keep a 6-foot distance, and wash hands often.
Thank you for doing your part to slow the spread of COVID-19 and help protect our communities. For more tips on social distancing, please visit the City’s website or download this info sheet.
City of Toronto COVID-19 Updates
City of Toronto’s COVID-19 Immunization Clinic Proof-of-Concept Site Ready to Open Monday
Toronto’s Medical Officer of Health Dr. Eileen de Villa and Fire Chief and General Manager of the Office of Emergency Management Matthew Pegg confirmed the City of Toronto’s COVID-19 immunization clinic proof-of-concept site is ready to open Monday.
City of Toronto and Partners Start COVID-19 Vaccination Pilots for People Experiencing Homelessness and Frontline Workers in Select Shelters
The City of Toronto is pleased to partner with Unity Health Toronto, University Health Network and Inner City Health Associates on COVID-19 vaccination pilot clinics for people experiencing homelessness and frontline shelter workers in select shelters
City of Toronto Supporting New Provincial Regulations and Stay-At-Home Order
Mayor John Tory, Toronto’s Medical Officer of Health Dr. Eileen de Villa and Fire Chief and General Manager of the Office of Emergency Management Matthew Pegg provided an update on the City’s measures to combat the resurgence of the virus in Toronto and local impacts of the Province of Ontario’s declaration of a second state of emergency and stay-at-home order.
Toronto Public Health Launches New Case-Control Study Focused on Residents Who Recently Tested Negative for COVID-19
Toronto Public Health (TPH) will launch a retrospective case-control study to identify exposure settings and activities that are associated with significantly increased risk of becoming infected with COVID-19 in Toronto. This study will include a focus on residents who recently tested negative for COVID-19 – a new approach for public health units in Canada – and will focus on issues like work environments, living arrangements and other activities including social gatherings or visits to public spaces.
City of Toronto Launches 2021 Tax-Supported Budgets
City of Toronto’s Budget Committee began the process of reviewing the staff-recommended tax-supported operating and capital budgets for 2021. The budgets will be reviewed and debated by Budget and Executive Committees before being finalized and approved by City Council at its meeting on February 18.
City of Toronto Modifies Services to Adhere to and Support New Provincial Regulations and Stay-At-Home Order
The City of Toronto continues to strongly recommend all residents stay home as much as possible to help stop the spread of COVID-19.
Toronto Public Health Expands Case and Contact Management Work
Toronto Public Health (TPH), in partnership with the Province of Ontario,announced the expansion of the case and contact management component of the City’s COVID-19 response. As our local response to the spread of the virus continues, TPH’s case and contact management program is an important tool to help curb this virus spread.
City of Toronto and Partners Completing Resident Vaccinations at All 87 Long-Term Care Homes in Toronto
The City of Toronto confirmed that COVID-19 immunization clinics have been heldat all 87 long-term care homes in Toronto. The vaccination milestone comes well in advance of the Province of Ontario’s January 21, 2021 deadline to complete the first round of vaccinations in long-term care homes.
More information on affected City services & facilities.
More updates from the City of Toronto.
Province of Ontario Updates
Ontario Adding Over 500 Hospital Beds to Expand Critical Care Capacity
The Ontario government is providing up to $125 million to immediately add over 500 critical care and high intensity medicine beds to hospitals in areas with high rates of COVID-19 transmission. A portion of the funding will also be used to temporarily transition Mackenzie Health’s Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital into a systemwide resource supporting the province’s COVID-19 response when the new hospital is scheduled to open on February 7, 2021. These initiatives will help relieve pressures on nearby hospitals due to rapid increases in hospitalization and ICU occupancy rates.
Ontario Investing in Peterborough-Based Producer of Hand Sanitizer and Disinfectant Bottles
The Ontario government is investing $1 million from the Ontario Together Fund to help Peterborough’s Merit Precision manufacture bottles for hand sanitizers and disinfectants. This expansion will create 10 new local jobs and retain 75 positions, while producing the vital products to support the fight against COVID-19.
Francophone Non-Profit Organizations can Begin Applying for the COVID-19 Relief Fund on January 25, 2021
The Ontario government announced today that starting January 25, francophone non-profit organizations can begin applying for financial assistance from the $1 million COVID-19 Relief Fund. The fund, which is being administered by the Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario, will provide operational funding to eligible organizations to support them during the pandemic.
Ontario Extends Reopening Ontario Act Orders
The Ontario government, in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health,is extending most orders currently in force under the Reopening Ontario (A Flexible Response to COVID-19) Act, 2020 (ROA) for another 30 days.
Canada and Ontario Deliver Affordable Housing in Brantford
The governments of Canada and Ontario are collaborating to deliver new affordable rental housing units in Brantford. The $200,000 in funding will be delivered through the Ontario Priorities Housing Initiative (OPHI) and will ensure more people have access to stable, affordable housing in their community.
Ontario Launches 2021 Budget Consultations
The Ontario government is asking the people of Ontario for their ideas on how to continue to support families, workers and business during COVID-19, while positioning the province for a strong economic recovery with the launch of the 2021 Budget consultation.
Applications Now Open for Ontario’s Small Business Support Grant
The Ontario government has opened applications for the new Ontario Small Business Support Grant. The grant, first announced in December, provides a minimum of $10,000 to a maximum of $20,000 to eligible small businesses who have had to restrict their operations due to the Provincewide Shutdown. The tightened restrictions were put in place to help stop the alarming rise of COVID-19 cases in Ontario.
Ontario Expands Case and Contact Management Workforce
The Ontario government has hired more case managers and contact tracers, building the provincial workforce to 1,600 by February 15, 2021. Along with staff who work in or have been redeployed within public health units, this support brings the total number of case and contact tracers in the province to nearly 5,600 staff. These people are vital in helping to isolate new cases of COVID-19 and stopping the spread of the virus in communities across Ontario.
Ontario Flows Gas Tax Funding to Municipalities
Caroline Mulroney, Minister of Transportation, announced that Ontario is providing $375 million through the Gas Tax program to help 109 municipalities across the province operate and expand public transit. The province will flow the funding as soon as possible in 2021.
Ontario Increasing Workplace Inspections During COVID-19
The Ontario government is taking additional measures to protect workers in response to rising COVID-19 cases. Beginning this Saturday and Sunday, approximately 50 ministry inspectors, as well as local bylaw and police officers, will be visiting big-box stores in Toronto, Hamilton, Peel, York and Durham. The blitz will focus on ensuring workers and patrons are wearing masks, maintaining physical distance, and following every health and safety measure. Workplace health and safety inspectors will have the authority to ticket supervisors, employees and patrons who do not comply with COVID-19 safety requirements, temporarily close a premise and disperse groups of more than five people.
Ontario Temporarily Pauses Residential Evictions
The Ontario government has issued an emergency order to temporarily pause the enforcement of residential evictions and ensure people are not forced to leave their homes during the provincial declaration of emergency and while the stay-at-home-order is in force.
More updates from the Province of Ontario.
Government of Canada Updates
Government of Canada Funds over 90 Projects Through the Supporting Black Canadian Communities Initiative
In Canada, diversity is our strength. That is why the Government of Canada is taking action to ensure that Black Canadians in communities across Canada are able to fully participate in all aspects of our society.
Government of Canada COVID-19 Update for Indigenous Peoples and Communities
After showing signs of plateauing in December 2020, the number of active cases in First Nations communities has reached a new all-time high, with 4,384 active cases reported as of January 12, 2021.
COVID-19 Expert Panel Provides Science-Based Advice on Optimizing Testing and Screening in Canada
The COVID-19 Testing and Screening Expert Advisory Panel released their first report. The report, Priority Strategies to Optimize Testing and Screening for COVID-19 in Canada, provides evidence-based advice on science and policy for the latest techniques in COVID-19 testing and screening, including the use of rapid tests.
Government of Canada Provides Support for Victims of Sex Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation in the Province of Quebec
Canadians expect to live in a society where the criminal justice system is fair and impartial and supports the needs of victims.
Canada Supports Innovative Solutions to Single-Use Coffee Pods
Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources, the Honourable Seamus O’Regan Jr., today announced a $1-million investment to NEXE Innovations, formerly GCUP Technology Corporation, as part of the second phase of a Bioplastics Challenge aimed at helping small businesses reduce pollution by turning forest-based residue into sustainable domestic plastic material.
More updates from the Government of Canada.
COVID-19 Information and Resources
Now is the time to stay informed through credible sources, and to follow the advice of our public health professionals. Together we can limit the spread of COVID-19.
Phone lines for telehealth, TPH and 311 continue to experience very high volumes. Please help keep the phones lines open for people who are sick by visiting the Toronto Public Health COVID-19 website for up-to-date information and resources: toronto.ca/covid-19
Telehealth Ontario
Call if you develop symptoms!
Telephone: 1-866-797-0000
Toronto Public Health Hotline
8:30 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Call if you have questions about COVID-19.
Telephone: 416-338-7600
TTY: 416-392-0658
Email: PublicHealth@toronto.ca
311 Toronto
Outside City limits: 416-392-2489
Call if you have questions about City services, or to report people
Telephone: 311 (The City is only accepting 311 requests through phone)
Support for People Living with Homelessness
If you see someone living with homelessness and in need of support you can call Streets to Homes at 416-338-4766. For mental health support, the Gerstein Crisis Centre is a valuable 24-hours a day, seven days a week service in our community and they have crisis workers on standby at 416-929-5200. More resources, including additional how to report information, are available on my website at kristynwongtam.ca.
Toronto Police
If you or someone else is confronted with life-threatening danger, please call 911 immediately. Alternatively, the Toronto Police request that online reports be submitted at torontopolice.on.ca/core or to torontopolice.on.ca/community
