Coronavirus: What's happening in Canada on May 26
The Canadian Press | Posted: May 26, 2020 12:01 PM | Last Updated: May 27, 2020
Prime minister says report from military on long-term care in Ontario 'extremely troubling,' calls for action
The latest:
- Trudeau says military members saw 'extremely troubling' things in Ontario long-term care facilities.
- Ontario Premier Doug Ford says reading the report into long-term care homes was the 'hardest thing' he has done as premier.
- The NHL lays out plan for a return of hockey.
- 40 flights carrying personal protective equipment have arrived in Canada, Trudeau says.
- Thousands still flying into Canadian airports despite COVID-19 restrictions.
- WHO warns that 1st wave of coronavirus pandemic not over.
- From hanging out in parks to getting groceries, how can you navigate day-to-day risks of COVID-19?
- COVID-19 disinformation being spread by Russia, China, say experts.
- The lives behind the numbers: What we know about the first 1,000 COVID-19 deaths in Canada.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says what he saw in a "deeply troubling" report by the Canadian military about conditions in five long-term care facilities in Ontario left him both saddened and infuriated.
Long-term care homes have been hit particularly hard during the pandemic, and both Quebec and Ontario asked Ottawa for help.
Members of the Canadian Armed Forces were deployed to help with staffing at facilities in need of assistance with everything from food service to medical tasks. At least 39 of them have since tested positive for COVID-19.
In his briefing to reporters Tuesday, Trudeau said the details in the report evoked a wide range of emotions in him, including anger, sadness, frustration and grief.
"It is deeply disturbing," Trudeau said. "There are things in there that are extremely troubling."
The report detailed people left in filth for weeks, others left on the floor where they had fallen, cockroach infestations, people choking while being improperly fed, patients with brutal pressure sores and patients pleading for help for hours to no avail.
WATCH | Prime Minister Trudeau reacts to the military's report on long-term care facilities in Ontario:
Ontario Premier Doug Ford, providing details about the report hours later, told reporters that reading it was the "hardest thing" he's done as premier.
He thanked the military for bringing the issues to light and said he has ordered that the full report be released to the public.
"They need to know exactly what I know," he said. "There is nothing worse than feeling helpless when it comes to protecting a loved one."
Ford also raised the prospect of criminal charges.
WATCH | Ford promises there will be accountability in light of the report:
Ontario Minister of Long-Term Care Merrilee Fullerton announced there will be an independent commission into the province's long-term care homes, beginning in September.
"No matter what it takes," said Ford, "we're going to fix this system."
WATCH | 'The system itself is so broken, you can't fix it with a simple Band-Aid solution:
A similar report will be submitted by the military members who have been working in Quebec long-term care homes.
Quebec's ombudswoman has said she would investigate why so many people had died from COVID-19 in facilities for older seniors.
Hot, humid conditions
As officials are dealing with the stark findings in the report, a blanket of hot, humid air has settled over much of Central Canada, at a time when anti-pandemic measures have closed many of the usual places where people might seek relief.
Heat waves can be dangerous for those with underlying health conditions, but with malls, swimming pools and cooling centres closed to help curb the spread of COVID-19, various authorities are trying to come up with ways to mitigate the concern.
The City of Toronto, for example, has opened six designated sites from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET at otherwise idled cooling centres. It was not immediately clear how the centres would ensure physical distancing among users or how many spaces were available.
"They may not all meet your immediate needs based on hours and access," the city said.
The City of Ottawa noted many of the usual ways people cool off might not be available given the pandemic, but offered tips such as drinking lots of water and avoiding strenuous outdoor activity.
In Quebec, health officials were also worried about the impact of the heat, including at mobile testing sites where some workers assessing people for COVID-19 work outside.
- INTERACTIVE | See the latest data on coronavirus cases in Canada
- CBC INVESTIGATES | Infection control oversight lacking at Ontario seniors' homes as inspections dwindled
NHL lays out return-to-play plans
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman says the 2019-20 season is over, and the league will move on to the playoffs.
Bettman said Tuesday the decision does not mean Canadians will actually see games this year, as the NHL and the NHL Players' Association must still figure out health and safety protocols and solve other issues, including where to play.
Rather than limiting the chase for the Stanley Cup to the usual 16 teams that qualify for the playoffs, the league and players have agreed to expand the field to 24 of its 31 teams because of the unusual circumstances.
Games would likely be played without fans in a few select locations. The league has not yet determined those sites, though Edmonton, Columbus, Ohio, Toronto and Las Vegas were believed to be among the possibilities.
Here's what's happening in the provinces and territories
As of 7:45 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Canada had 86,647 confirmed and presumptive coronavirus cases, with 45,352 of those considered recovered or resolved. A CBC News tally of deaths based on provincial data, regional health information and CBC's reporting stood at 6,735.
British Columbia's provincial health officer says there will be no overnight camps for kids in B.C. this summer. Bonnie Henry said Tuesday that there have been national discussions about what provinces can reasonably plan for and that the focus will be on day camps. Read more about what's happening in B.C.
Alberta Catholics will be able to return to churches June 1. The Roman Catholic Bishops of Alberta issued guidelines Tuesday, developed following the recent release of the Alberta government's guidance for places of public worship as part of the province's Stage 1 reopening. Read more about what's happening in Alberta.
Restaurants and bars in Saskatchewan are getting ready ahead of an expected opening date of June 8. The province recently expanded its testing criteria to include anyone working outside the home, but an infectious disease specialist says that doesn't mean people without symptoms should necessarily get tested. Read more about what's happening in Saskatchewan.
WATCH | Saskatchewan research paves way for COVID-19 vaccine clinical trial:
Manitoba reported no new coronavirus cases for a fourth day in a row Tuesday. The province has just 16 active cases and no one is in hospital with COVID-19. Read more about what's happening in Manitoba.
Ontario's health minister says the government will not publicly identify the COVID-19 hot spots in the province. Christine Elliott says the areas are being dealt with on a public health level, and identifying them could be stigmatizing. Read more about what's happening in Ontario, including a look at some of the changes Toronto is considering to improve physical distancing at parks.
WATCH | Elliott explains why the province will not identify COVID-19 hot spots:
Quebec's ombudsperson will investigate why so many seniors died from COVID-19 in the province's long-term care homes and other residences for the elderly. Marie Rinfret announced Tuesday in a statement that her probe will focus on the failings of Quebec's health-care network in responding to the many COVID-19 outbreaks in public and private seniors' residences. Read more about what's happening in Quebec, where health officials reported 614 new cases on Tuesday, with 70 deaths.
New Brunswick reported one new coronavirus case on Tuesday. It came five days after the province's only other active case was confirmed in the Campbellton region — a child who attended two daycares in the region. Read more about what's happening in N.B..
Nova Scotia reported two new coronavirus case on Tuesday, as well as one new death. The provincial health authority is bringing back some day surgeries, diagnostic imaging and laboratory services after they were shut down because of COVID-19. Read more about what's happening in N.S.
WATCH | Trudeau pushes provinces to bring in paid sick days:
The Prince Edward Island Legislature will sit Tuesday to deal with emergency spending measures linked to the coronavirus pandemic. Read more about what's happening on P.E.I., which again reported no new cases on Tuesday.
WATCH | P.E.I.'s chief public health officer says not everyone may be ready for easing of restrictions:
Newfoundland and Labrador has now gone 18 days with no new cases of COVID-19. Dr. Janice Fitzgerald, chief medical officer of health, says it's natural that people may feel an increased sense of safety with case numbers so low, but she urges people to remain vigilant. Read more about what's happening in N.L.
MLAs in the Northwest Territories will get to question ministers about the territory's COVID-19 response on Tuesday as they head back to the Legislative Assembly. Read more about what's happening across the North.
Here's a look at what's happening around the world
WATCH | Russia and China push coronavirus misinformation on social media:
- World Health Organization temporarily halts hydroxychloroquine trials
- U.S. company trials coronavirus vaccine candidate in Australia
- Boris Johnson's aide cites 'exceptional circumstances' for his lockdown breaches
- Latam Airlines files for U.S. Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection
- Italy grapples with a new rhythm as it emerges from 2-month lockdown
- Spain to lift 2-week quarantine for tourists beginning July 1