A look at the numbers – three more in Greater Sudbury
Ontario reported 554 new cases of COVID-19 yesterday, most of them in the Greater Toronto and Ottawa area.
Closer to home, Public Health Sudbury & Districts is reporting three new cases of the virus all in the City of Greater Sudbury.
While one is directly related to travel, the other two are due to contact with someone who has travelled.
All three are in self-isolation.
The number of people being treated in hospital continues to rise, now at 137, with 30 of them in intensive care.
Officials also said there were another 64 coronavirus diagnoses in schools around the province.
That brings the number of schools reporting COVID-19 cases to 250about five percent of the total.
Ontario’s chief medical officer of health, Doctor David Williams, says the idea of social bubbles of no more than ten people, is still an important one, but he adds they’ve seen signs people are moving away from that restriction.
Long-term care restrictions
Premier Doug Ford says areas with high rates of COVID-19 infections will be subject to stricter rules concerning visitors in long-term care facilities.
Ford says that, as of October 5th, casual visits will again be banned.
Access will only be allowed to staff, essential visitors, and caregivers.
Residents must select two people like caregivers, and they can be family members.
A list of where the new rules will apply is expected in the next few days.
Replacing CERB
The Commons has unanimously passed legislation to replace the now-expired Canada Emergency Response Benefit.
The approval came in the early morning hours today, less than two days after the legislation was first introduced.
The bill shifts most of those who received the benefit to the Employment Insurance system and boosts weekly payments to 500 dollars.
It also creates new categories for the self-employed, those who must stay home due to illness, or those caring for someone who’s sick or for a child whose school or daycare has been closed.
The Senate is expected to deal rapidly with the bill today.
The government hopes to have the first payouts begin next week.