Toronto COVID-19 Update: 169 more cases, city needs more PPE
TORONTO, ON., May 13, 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.
Toronto Public Health continues to see new infections in the city. There are 7,944 people infected with COVID-19 in Toronto, an increase of 169 since yesterday. There are also 5,655 people who have recovered from the virus, an increase of 206 since yesterday. Additional case status information 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.
Toronto needs more PPE
The City continues to experience significant global supply chain issues in response to the extraordinary demand for personal protective equipment (PPE) in response to COVID-19 around the world. The present PPE inventory levels, based upon current consumption rates, are a:
• 15 day supply of N-95 Respirators
• 751 day supply of surgical masks
• 245 day supply of isolation gowns, and
• 20 day supply of face shields.
A number of PPE orders have been placed and the City is awaiting delivery of those items. Should delivery be delayed, such that current inventory is depleted, there are contingency plans in place that include deploying the pandemic stockpile of N-95 respirators. PPE is being monitored on a daily basis.
Physical distancing enforcement update
Toronto’s COVID-19 Enforcement Team is continuing to educatine residents on the City’s physical distancing bylaw and provincial Emergency Measures and Civil Protection Act orders. The City received 34 complaints yesterday related to non-essential businesses remaining open. Since March 24, 132 tickets and 275 notices have been issued to non-essential businesses. There have been no complaints related to new retail business curbside pickup.
Yesterday, the City received 65 complaints involving people using outdoor amenities or not practising physical distancing in parks or squares. Bylaw officers issued four tickets – bringing the total number of tickets issued since May 1 to 59 tickets. This month, bylaw and police officers have spoken to nearly 2,300 people in City parks about the closures and public health measures.
Residents are reminded that parks amenities, including parking lots, remain closed at this time. Dogs must be kept on leash at all times in City parks.
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.
SOURCE City of Toronto
