Worldwide stats provided by worldometers put the global COVID-19 number of reported cases today at 4,445,920. (48,374 new) (Deaths: 298,440 and Recovered: 1,670,373) I emphasize reported because there is a wide variance in testing and manner of reporting from country to country and place to place. If I had to guess, i'd say the actual number of cases is 10 times that which is being reported.
As of 5:47 a.m. ET on Thursday May 14, 2020:
From Global News, Canada reported 72,266 confirmed cases (787 new) of COVID-19.
The official Province of Ontario website is reporting 21,236 total confirmed cases and 1,765 total deaths. Currently, there are 1,018 people are in hospital with 189 in ICU.
Quebec continues to have the highest reported cases in the country with 39,932. (677 new)
The Region of Durham reported 1,194 confirmed cases of COVID-19. The site also reports 15 current outbreaks at Hospitals, LTCF's and Retirement Homes with 8 of the outbreaks having been "concluded." Currently, there are 72 cases in Clarington.
In international news,
Eat cheese! France warned 5,000 tons of cheese could go to waste, as Canada deals with its own cheese surplus. The famously cheese-loving French have “turned away” from one of their greatest culinary contributions. Since France went into lockdown in mid-March, cheese consumption has decreased by nearly 60 per cent.
From the "Say what?" file, Hotels in Puerto Vallarta are hoping to start activities on June 1, with the announcement by Governor Enrique Alfaro that hotels and motels can begin operations on May 18 with restrictions, closing common areas of the hotel, such as restaurants, lounges and pools. As a quick reminder, PV is currently the third hardest hit city in all of Mexico. So, in 17 days it's going to be "all better?"
Not quite news, but a really interesting read, also from the Puerto Vallarta Daily News. According to historians, pandemics have two types of end: the medical, which occurs when incidence and death rates plummet, and the social, when the epidemic of fear of disease decreases.
Breitbart reported L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti Tries to Quell ‘Panic’ After Official Declares 3 More Months of Lockdowns.
In national news,
Doctors found a possible link between COVID-19 and a rare, potentially deadly illness in children. The illness has shown up in Canada, with a cluster of cases reported in Montreal, where doctors at Sainte-Justine Hospital have discovered at least 12 cases of it since mid-April.
An exclusive from the National Post, "New memo tells staff to make CERB payment even if claimant quit job voluntarily or was fired for cause". A new memo to Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) staff processing the applications says they should approve claims even if the person might have quit voluntarily or been fired for misconduct. Adjudication of what it refers to as “contentious issues” is to be deferred until later, says the note, which was viewed by the National Post.
Contrast CERB with the assistance Justin is giving our farmers, which from what I can see is "nothing." The Grain Farmers of Ontario are raising the alarm about our food supply chain. Grain Farmers of Ontario is asking the government to improve the programs put in place to help farmers if their businesses are in a loss position because of this pandemic. They are asking the government to fully fund the Risk Management program, to restore the AgStability program to 85% with no reference margin limits and restore the AgInvest program to 5%. I don't know what all of that means, but I am ok with it. We are giving away millions (billions) to people that do not want to return to work, so why not give money to farmers. The people that actually work and feed us?
As far as meat processing inspections go, here is an eye opener. 40 CFIA meat plant inspectors, including 21 in Alberta, test positive for COVID-19, according to their union. The positive tests span from March 23 to May 12, the CFIA said, adding “this number is indicative of all employees (not only inspectors) and is cumulative and does not take into account those employees who may have since returned to work.”
In Ontario,
EXCELLENT NEWS!!
Today, Ontario reports the lowest number of new COVID-19 cases in more than six weeks. Drumroll please...........258. Lets hope this trend conitnues.
Phase 1 of re-opening is set to begin today. Ontario will officially reveals plans for Stage 1 of reopening its economy on May 14 and many are wondering what exactly that could look like.
From the "Great idea, but I cant quit laughing" file, the province is launching a portal to match education workers with voluntary redeployment opportunities at hospitals, long-term care or retirement homes. The portal will match education workers with employers who need help. Yes, I am sure there will be stampede of "education workers" willing to clean floors and wash dishes.
Toronto Western Hospital declared another new outbreak. The ER is not closed and continues to provide services to the public.
From the "Local gossip may resume, now" file, 'Ready to reopen': How Tim Hortons is preparing to reinstate its seating areas.
Locally,
The **##&&!! weather continues to suck. Many are anxious to get to work in their gardens, but you can't yet. Frost warnings continue on a daily basis. From the Weather Network:
"ALERTS IN EFFECT - Frost Advisory
Issued at 05:01 Thursday 14 May 2020
Temperatures will drop to near the freezing mark early this morning with patchy frost possible."
In Bowmanville, a Glen Hill Strathaven resident tested positive for coronavirus on May 11. By way of updates (from a source close to the situation) a subsequent test proved negative, meaning the original test was a false positive. Great news, indeed! Keep up the good work, Strathaven.
CLOCA (Central Lake Ontaro Conservation Authority) is reopening conservation areas on May 20, but only for visits under two hours. Although their eight conservation areas will be opened, along with adjacent parking lots, all facilities will stay closed. This includes things like washrooms, picnic areas and other buildings. The areas are being opened for trail use only, so people can enjoy some fresh air and exercise.
The following areas will be open from dawn until dusk starting May 20:
Bowmanville/Westside Marshes Conservation Area, Bowmanville
Crow’s Pass Conservation Area, Port Perry
Enniskillen Conservation Area, Clarington
Heber Down Conservation Area, Whitby
Long Sault Conservation Area, Clarington
Lynde Shores Conservation Area, Whitby
Purple Woods Conservation Area, Oshawa
Stephen’s Gulch Conservation Area, Clarington
5 things to know for Thursday, May 14, 2020.
Wait times in grocery (and other) stores can be found here.
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.
1hr/espanol
10k/dig-dig
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