Worldwide stats provided by worldometers put the global COVID-19 number of reported cases today at 2,736,188. A worldwide increase of 81,979 reported cases from yesterday, a significant decrease. (Deaths: 191,422 and Recovered: 751,799)
I emphasize reported because there is a wide variance in testing and manner of reporting from country to country and place to place.
As of 6:04 a.m. ET on Friday April 24, 2020, Canada reported 42,110 confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19. A daily increase of 1,920 new confirmed cases from yesterday, a significant decrease.
The official Province of Ontario website reported 12,879 cases of COVID-19. A reported daily increase of 634 new cases, which is significantly down by 430 cases from the previous daily report.
Quebec continues to have the highest reported cases in the country with 21,838 which is up by 873 from the previous day's report. Ontario and Quebec account for approximately 60% of Canada's overall reported cases. Alberta is in a distant third, with 3,720 reported cases.
Ontario's population (2019): 14.57 million
Quebec's population (2019): 8.485 million
Alberta's population (2019): 4.371 million
B.C. is kicking COVID-19's ass. Their population (2019) 5.071 million and their reported cases......1,824.
The Region of Durham reported 781 confirmed cases of COVID-19. An increase of 24 reported new cases from the day before, which is significantly down. The site also reports 12 current outbreaks at Hospitals, LTCF's and Retirement Homes with 2 having been resolved. As an aside, the Durham Region website is easy to use and very informative.
Clearly, Canada is making progress. Our daily reported numbers are steadily declining in every province in the country.
In international news,
In the U.S.A. homicide figures are similar, even higher, in some American cities despite stay-at-home orders.
Spain is set to let children outside after more than a month under their strict coronavirus lockdown.
From the "How the Hell are they going to do that?" file, Sports leagues are exploring ways to play in a COVID-19 world.
From the "That's scary" file, 2 cats in N.Y. become first U.S. pets to test positive for virus.
From Australia, can COVID-19 be spread by farts?
In the national news,
The news out of Nova Scotia is just heart wrenching. The Nova Scotia RCMP chief has had to defend their 'dynamic and fluid' response to the massacre. The RCMP has 'fairly good idea' the guns used in Nova Scotia mass shooting were acquired illegally, somehow. The large scale, unprecedented investigation is ongoing.
Saskatchewan will reopen in five phases, the premier says in provincial address.
As millions of people across Canada shelter in place to slow the spread of the coronavirus, there has been a surge in the popularity of baking at home, both for food and to pass the time. Early on, store shelves were cleared out of their flour. Anecdotal reports suggest flour has rivalled toilet paper as one of the hardest items to find. The surge in popularity of baking has Robin Hood running out of its iconic yellow bags, which is why the company has started to use nondescript white ones.
1 in 10 Canadians believes a coronavirus conspiracy theory, survey by CBC suggests. Personally, I think that number is low.
In Ontario,
Ontario's economy to reopen 'in a trickle' the premier says, after suggesting some relaxation by Victoria Day. However, he had to backtrack later in the day during further questioning by the media.
In sad news, our Premier Doug Ford broke into tears at a news conference where he confirmed his mother in law has tested positive for COVID-19.
Clearly, cases are on the decline in Ontario. On Thursday, Ontario reported 510 new cases of COVID-19, the lowest number so far this week. The province’s Associate Chief Medical Officer says out of today’s 510 new cases, 475 are reported to be in long-term care facilities.
Despite this, the Toronto Sun is reporting COVID-19 deaths and outbreaks are being under-reported in Ontario, based on information they reviewed from the Ontario Health Coalition.
Ontario Provincial Police are warning the public about a man who allegedly impersonated a police officer and stopped vehicles to question drivers about whether they were “essential workers.”
Remember a few days ago I suggested other grocery stores would follow T & T grocery stores with taking temps and wearing masks in the store? Well, Longo's food chain announced they are to begin daily temperature checks of employees, and are now 'strongly encouraging' customers to wear masks.
Locally,
Lakeridge Health has been called in after Durham’s Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Robert Kyle, ordered a Pickering retirement home to address the “immediate risk of COVID-19 to residents and staff” amid an outbreak.
From the "Love conquers all" file, a Bowmanville couple were married on Facebook. Derek Turnbull and Christina Thrasher saw their friends do a drive-by in front of their home on Meadowview Boulevard. Had there not been a COVID-19 outbreak, more than 50 people would have been in the Dominican Republic for their wedding. After being married on Facebook Live, friends did a celebratory drive-by immediately following the online service in Bowmanville.
Trout fishing season opens tonight at midnight. Let the shit show begin. A very popular fishing spot, the Ganaraska River in Port hope is mostly closed. The closure is not going to stop some anglers. I'll be posting follow up stories on this one, no doubt.
Hunting/fishing related closures in Ontario can be found here.
If you develop COVID-19 symptoms, there is a breathing technique that is being touted as a remedy, of sorts. No idea if it actually works, but hey, it can't hurt. Here is the link.
Please remember, try to stay positive, try to follow the rules, help where you can and be kind.
Town of Clarington COVID-19 updates can be found here.
Province of Ontario COVID-19 updates can be found here.
Government of Canada COVID-19 updates can be found here.
1hr/espanol
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