• The Ontario government is launching the COVID-19: Tackling the Barriers website to help businesses overcome the unique challenges created by the global pandemic. Businesses working to retool their operations to produce health-related products, or those that want to continue their operations in this new environment of physical distancing, can submit any potential roadblocks to the website.
• After three days of caseload decline, Ontario reported 525 new cases today, while the death toll across Canada had risen by more than 10% for the first time in nine days, climbing 11.1% to a total of 2,766, indicating that re-opening the economy may still be some weeks away.
• The Public Health Agency of Canada released its modelling update (PDF link) on the spread of COVID-19 in Canada. Key points include:
  • Just over half of all known cases were in Quebec. Ontario made up over half of the balance.
  • Individuals aged over or equal to 60 represented 66% of hospital admissions and 95% of deaths. 79% of deaths were linked to long-term care and seniors’ homes. 74% of hospitalized cases reported at least one underlying health condition. However, nobody is immune to severe outcomes of COVID-19.
  • Although epidemic spread has leveled off in several provinces, the number of cases in Ontario, Quebec, and Alberta is still rising quickly.
  • The overall national epidemic rate has slowed from a doubling of cases every 3 days early in the pandemic to a doubling of cases every 16 days.
  • By May 5, between 53,196 and 66,835 cases are predicted, with 3,277 to 3,883 deaths. With strong containment efforts, the total Canadian death toll could be limited to between 4,000 and 44,000 deaths.
  • A decline in cases is likely to be followed by seasonal surges. Physical distancing and public health efforts to isolate cases and their contacts may continue into 2021. Businesses should prepare contingency plans for renewed restrictions even after the Province begins to lift them.
• FAQ pages are now available for the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) and Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB).
• A Reuters poll of economists found that the Canadian economy is likely in its deepest recession on record and will only recover modestly over the coming year as it takes a direct hit from the coronavirus outbreak and a collapse in oil prices.

Reading recommendations:

• Managing Change Amid a Pandemic, the Hon. Perrin Beatty, Policy
• Six Rules to Plan Now for the Post-Coronavirus World, Larry Light, Forbes
• Shift Your Organization from Panic to Purpose, Scott Goodson, Ali Demos & Charles Dhanaraj, Harvard Business Review
• Coronavirus: A visual guide to the economic impact, Lora Jones, Daniele Palumbo & David Brown, BBC News

If you are showing symptoms, you must self-isolate for a minimum of 14 days. Call a public health authority immediately. Do not visit any healthcare provider in person before you have been directly advised to by public health authorities.  

It is important that everyone practice social distancing to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Remain at home unless absolutely necessary. Minimize contact with other people. Wash hands frequently and thoroughly. Avoid touching the face. Maintain a 2-meter distance from others if you are required to be out in public. If you have recently traveled outside the country, you are legally required to self-isolate for 14 days.

Previous updates can be accessed here.

Stay safe and be vigilant. The GNCC is here to support you. Contact us with any questions you have.