Worldwide stats provided by worldometers put the global COVID-19 number of reported cases today at 3,232,975. (Deaths: 228,517 and Recovered: 1,008,496) 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 6:48 a.m. ET on Thursday April 30, 2020:
Canada reported 51,597 confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19. A daily reported national increase of 1,571 new confirmed cases from yesterday.
The official Province of Ontario website reported 15,728 cases of COVID-19. A reported daily increase of only 347 new cases in the province. That's down by 178 from 525 new cases the previous day.
Quebec continues to have the highest reported cases in the country with 26,5947 which is up 837 from the previous day's report. (yesterday 775)
The Region of Durham reported 933 confirmed cases of COVID-19. An increase of only 10 reported new cases from the day before. Very good news! The site also reports 10 current outbreaks at Hospitals, LTCF's and Retirement Homes with 5 outbreaks now having been resolved. (up from 3)
In international news,
From the "You think testing is inadequate in Canada" file, to detect COVID-19 carriers in the North Coast region of Jalisco, UdeG installed a COVID-19 laboratory at the Centro Universitario de la Costa (CuCosta) in Puerto Vallarta. Unfortunately, they only have the capacity to test 30 people per day.
Russia is really struggling. COVID-19 appeared to come late to Russia, compared with North America and Europe, but now it's striking with a vengeance, the damage compounded by the lack of personal protective equipment for hospital workers. There are almost daily reports across the vast country — from St. Petersburg to Siberia — of hospitals being quarantined because of coronavirus outbreaks among staff. I don't know how this virus started, but know this, if Mr. Putin thinks that China un-leashed it....the consequences are going to be severe.
The CDC (U.S.A.) recently posted additional COVID-19 symptoms. Given that allergy season is upon us, this list is problematic. See for yourself:
In national news,
From the CBC, 'Racist and inflammatory': Canadians upset by Epoch Times claim China behind virus, made it as a bioweapon. I do not stand by, or endorse, the Epoch Times article but I can tell you this, I have yet to speak to a Canadian that is not upset with the China government right now. However it was caused, people are angry. Damn angry and they are going to stay angry and bitter about this for a long, long time.
Manitoba's premier announced his plan to reopen the province beginning next week. Pallister announced the multi-phase plan will begin next week, on May 4. At that time the province will begin to open some businesses and increase recreation opportunities, including non-essential healthcare and retail businesses.
These are the meat plants in Canada affected by the coronavirus outbreak. Currently shut down are Cargill Inc. one of Alberta's largest meat processing plants; the JBS meat-packing plant in Brooks, Alberta and Conestoga Meats pork processing plant in Waterloo, Ontario. On the upside, four other plants were shut down but have since resumed operations.
A Canadian military helicopter went missing during NATO operations near Greece. The occupants are presumed to be deceased.
In Ontario,
Three Toronto daycare staff tested positive for COVID-19 yesterday.
From the "this article is going to bother you" file, people are getting COVID-19 by community transmission, but Ontario knows little about how or why. Despite six weeks of workplace closures, physical distancing and stay-at-home messages, people are still contracting COVID-19 in Ontario communities, and public health officials don't have a firm handle on why or how it's happening. Roughly half of Ontario's new cases of the coronavirus are among residents and staff of long-term care homes, along with other front-line health workers. But for the remaining cases, the sources of infection are often unspecified.
Another PSW passed away from COVID-19 complications, 51 year old Arlene Reid; she left 5 children behind. She worked for the Victorian Order of Nurses providing home care. She caught the disease from community transmission, but it is not known who she contracted the disease from. We mourn her loss.
Locally,
Sometimes, it sucks to be in first place. Sadly, Durham Region leads comparable municipalities in confirmed coronavirus deaths.
That said, to balance with some positive news as I previously mentioned, the Region of Durham reported only ten new cases, yesterday. Reason for hope........
COVID-19 delays are causing a large backlog in funeral home bookings, says the funeral home association. Over the past six weeks, the Ontario Funeral Services Association estimates there could be as many as 5,000 memorial services that were put on hold and are still waiting to be held. This answers my question last week as to why "natural" deaths seem to be down. (Based anecdotally on my review of local obituaries) "Natural" deaths are not down, but the announcements of them are. Many people are holding off on official announcements, until they can hold services once the restrictions are lifted.
Durham is going to use the cabins at Oshawa’s Camp Samac as homeless person shelter space with physical distance. It will be interesting to see what happens when things return to "normal" and they are made to leave. I hope they are supported and have some kind of transition, but my guess is they will not want to leave when the time comes.
The weather is supposed to be really nice this weekend. This is going to be yet another test of our resolve to social distance and keep up the fight. Let's do the best we can and do our part to flatten the curve and kick COVID's ass.
Don't let self-isolation stop you from getting some exercise. Livestrong has started the 30 day push-up challenge, beginning May 1st. You can check it out here. Here's how it works: Start with 5 push-ups on Day 1, add about 2 a day and finish with 60 (with some rest days thrown in there for good measure, of course). They will send you weekly emails to help you stay motivated and other tips to follow along with their monthly challenges.
Hunting/fishing related closures in Ontario can be found here.
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.
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