Ontario saw its first COVID-19 fatality today with a death at Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre.
While there were no more reported cases in Simcoe-Muskoka region by the province, this death indicates there was at least one case not yet reported via the province’s Ministry of Health website, which updates cases twice daily.
Health officials say the case was related to another patient hospitalized at RVH last week, confirmed on Sunday. The health unit confirmed it was not the man whose case was reported on Sunday that died today.
The Town of Collingwood closed all local playgrounds today until further notice. Town parks and trails remain open, but the town is encouraging residents to continue to exercise social distancing.
Last night the mayor announced the stoppage of all town council, committee, and board meetings until April 20.
CAO Fareed Amin said he has daily meetings with the town's department heads to touch base on the day's key news, what's happening at a staff level in terms of health of the town, a round-up of operations, and public response to town services.
Amin said should the town require a decision of council, they can hold an emergency meeting.
Councillors Tina Comi and Yvonne Hamlin attended a council meeting last night via phone, and are currently self-isolating as per the town’s emergency plan.
Staff are also self-isolating to minimize the impact to town services should the virus circulate through town hall.
Amin said staff are on rotation, and the town is asking some staff to stay home while others continue to operate town services.
In the water and wastewater department, operators are on a rotation as well.
Staff from the library, museum, customer service desks, and recreation facilities are, in some cases, being redeployed as those facilities have been closed. Others are staying home and others are still going in to work.
Amin said town staff will be paid as normal during this time.
This morning, Premier Doug Ford declared a state of emergency in Ontario, requiring all non-essential facilities to shut down, and prohibiting restaurants from serving dine-in customers.
Amin said the premier's declaration makes things a little easier for the town in this situation.
"It means a set of rules – province-wide – for gatherings and restaurants ... and more harmonized communication across the province," said Amin.
Collingwood businesses have been meeting since the weekend to address the COVID-19 pandemic safety concerns and come up with creative ways to keep doing business. You can read more about their response here.
For local, provincial, and national COVID-19 related news, visit CollingwoodToday.ca’s COVID-19 page here.