News Release
May 27, 2020

Mayor John Tory, Medical Officer of Health Dr. Eileen de Villa, and Fire Chief and General Manager of the Office of Emergency Management Matthew Pegg today provided an update on the City’s continuing response to COVID-19.

There are 10,525 cases of COVID-19 in the city, an increase of 152 cases since yesterday. There are 356 cases in hospital, with 84 in ICU. In total, 7,814 people have recovered from COVID-19, an increase of 187 cases since yesterday. To date, there have been 780 COVID-19 deaths in Toronto.

Today, the City released geographic information on COVID-19 cases in Toronto to help fight the spread of this virus in the city. By knowing where those impacted by COVID-19 live, and by assessing other important risk factors, Toronto Public Health is better able to inform preventive actions, identify where proactive testing can be helpful and take action to reduce virus spread.

The maps reflect where individuals live, and do not necessarily reflect where they were initially exposed to this virus. Areas with lower rates of COVID-19 cases are not necessarily safer and do not pose less of a risk of infection. Case status data and geographic maps can be found on the City’s reporting platform at toronto.ca/home/covid-19/covid-19-latest-city-of-toronto-news/covid-19-status-of-cases-in-toronto.

Residents are reminded of the importance of adhering to public health advice to wash their hands often, stay within their household bubble, practise physical distancing, or wear a face covering or non-medical mask to protect others when in settings where physical distancing cannot be maintained.

The COVID-19 enforcement team continues to respond to complaints and proactively patrol parks and other public spaces, in an effort to ensure public understanding of the need to maintain physical distancing. Ensuring compliance through education and awareness remains the preferred method of engagement, but enforcement continues to take place as necessary.

Yesterday, the City received 217 complaints involving people using outdoor amenities that remain closed or not practising physical distancing in parks or squares. Police and bylaw officers issued 17 tickets. Enforcement officers have spoken to nearly 6,000 people in City parks about the closures and public health measures. The City also received 64 complaints about gatherings and police issued 13 gathering-related tickets.

The City’s website is updated daily with the latest health advice and information about City services, social supports and economic recovery measures. Check toronto.ca/covid-19 for answers to common questions before contacting the Toronto Public Health COVID-19 Hotline or 311.

Quote:

“COVID-19 is the greatest threat our city has faced this generation. It continues to take lives and we know it is present across our city. No person – young or old – is immune.
No neighbourhood is immune. And of course it poses other threats to our residents. Their employment, their financial state, and even their state of mental well-being. Throughout this pandemic I have worked tirelessly to honestly assess the situations we have faced in my comments to the people of Toronto and to share to the greatest possible extent the information we have. Today, Dr. de Villa and Toronto Public Health released geographic information on COVID-19 cases in our city. It was information I requested she bring forward in general terms on the basis it would help us fight the spread of the virus and just as importantly to support neighbourhoods and people affected by this. I believe
releasing this information will help far more than harm. It is a reminder that COVID-19 is here and we must be vigilant in following public health advice. It is a reminder we must focus on supporting people affected by this terrible illness, not shy away from that in anyway whatsoever. And I hope it will encourage people if they have even one symptom of COVID-19 to get tested.”
– Mayor John Tory

Toronto is home to more than 2.9 million people whose diversity and experiences make this great city Canada’s leading economic engine and one of the world’s most diverse and livable cities. As the fourth largest city in North America, Toronto is a global leader in technology, finance, film, music, culture and innovation, and consistently places at the top of international rankings due to investments championed by its government, residents and businesses. For more information visit toronto.ca or follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/CityofToronto, on Instagram at instagram.com/cityofto or on Facebook at facebook.com/cityofto.

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