‘Our opportunity to flatten the curve is coming to an end,’ Peel warns as 200 total COVID-19 cases confirmed in Mississauga Thursday; Ontario reports 827 new cases over past two days

Mississauga reached another unfortunate milestone on Thursday, with the number of total COVID-19 cases in the city climbing to 200. The new figure represents an increase of 26 infections, almost 15 percent, from Wednesday, when the city had 174.

The first case of COVID-19 in Peel was reported in Mississauga almost one month ago on March 5.

With 26 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed Thursday in Mississauga, the city's total rises to 200.

The Region of Peel, which is responsible for reporting cases in Brampton, Mississauga and Caledon, saw an increase of 53, according to figures released by the region Thursday morning. There has been one death in the region as a result of the novel coronavirus, a 70-year-old man with underlying health conditions who passed away at Brampton Civic Hospital on March 26, one day after testing positive for COVID-19.

Thursday also saw Ontario announce another 401 confirmed cases, bringing the provincial total number to 2,793 positive cases and 53 deaths. It is the second consecutive day with a jump of more than 400 cases, after 426 were announced Wednesday, for a total of 827 new cases in just two days across the province. According to the Ministry of Health, 831 cases have been resolved, meaning the previously infected individual no longer shows any signs of having the virus.

Surprisingly, people aged 20 to 59 represent 65.2 percent of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Ontario for a total of 1,821 of the overall cases. This is in stark contrast to those aged 60 and older who are at a greater risk of becoming severely ill and make up just 32.3 percent of cases. The number of patients in the province hospitalized with COVID-19 has risen to 405. Of those, 167 are in the ICU with 112 currently requiring the help of a ventilator.

827 new cases of COVID-19 have been reported in Ontario over the past two days.

With the pandemic showing no sign of slowing down, the region has issued stronger recommendations for residents.

On Wednesday, Interim Medical Officer of Health, Dr Lawrence Loh, issued an order to restrict the movement of all residents with COVID-19, those in close contact with them and anyone classified as a probable case. All individuals who fit into these criteria and live in the region are now mandated to stay inside for 14 days or risk daily fines as high as $5,000.

"Our opportunity to flatten the curve is coming to an end,” Loh said in a media release on the region's website. “We must act now to save lives and protect our healthcare system and frontline workers. We know that COVID-19 does not travel on its own; it is transmitted from person to person. These measures are intended to limit interactions that can spread the virus and break chains of transmission in our community."

The region strongly recommends all residents limit essential trips for groceries and medical supplies to once per week. As well, outdoor daily exercise should only be carried out by residents with members of their households or pets, while remaining at least two metres away from anyone they do not live with.

In line with provincial guidelines, the region is also telling anyone over the age of 70 to stay home and to rely on family members, where possible, to deliver groceries and other essential supplies. This advice is also offered to those under the age of 70 with underlying health conditions.

The region’s new recommendations come alongside enforcement of provincial orders by the City of Mississauga’s bylaw officers. Enforcement and security officers are working to stop non-essential businesses from remaining open, as well as cracking down on gatherings of more than five people who are not from a single household.

Residents who observe non-compliance are being told to call 311. Call takers and operators are able to dispatch city employees to the scene, with the Peel Regional Police available as a back-up if bylaw enforcement or security are unable to resolve the issue on their own.

Failure to follow the provincial rules can result in fines between $750 and $1,000 for “obstructing any person in exercising a power or performing a duty” under emergency legislation. If charges are laid by issuing a summons, the fines can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.

In order to discourage gatherings or proximity to others, Mississauga has closed a slew of public spaces. These include community centres, libraries, soccer pitches, dog parks and even parking spots. 

At its weekly meeting, held digitally during the pandemic to maximize physical distancing, council passed further measures to try and slow the spread.

Along with stepping up enforcement, Mississauga is offering rent deferrals of three months to tenants in its buildings. The city is landlord to 42 different tenants and is waiving rent payments in the short-term to help businesses with cash flow problems while the federal and provincial governments finalize relief packages.

To continue to communicate with residents while city hall is closed, Mississauga will also hold a second tele-town hall on April 8. More details are available here.

Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie urges residents to stay home and limit non-essential trips as COVID-19 rates of infection continue to rise.

“The numbers in Mississauga ... are not going down and I’m asking you to do more,” Mayor Bonnie Crombie told residents in a video shared on Twitter Wednesday night. “As a city we continue to monitor the pandemic as it unfolds and take action. Our Chief Medical Officer of Health issued an additional directive [...] [that says] staying at home as much as possible and avoiding all non-essential trips is no longer a recommendation, it’s a directive that must be followed.”

Crombie has been particularly active on social media, sharing at least one video update per day. In the most recent attempt to engage with residents and get them on board with the importance of physical distancing, she posted a video of Mississauga native and international tennis superstar Bianca Andreescu. 

Bianca Andreescu, a Mississauga native and tennis superstar, appealed to younger residents to stay home and help flatten the curve of COVID-19.

Andreescu, 19, made an appeal to younger residents to stay inside, learn new skills and help to flatten the curve. “From the bottom of my heart I want to thank the doctors, nurses, first responders and all other essential workers who are out there on the frontline, this fight wouldn’t be possible without you,” she said. “So remember, stay home and stay well.”

Away from Mississauga, Premier Doug Ford told reporters yesterday he would be “adjusting” the list of essential businesses that are allowed to operate through the pandemic. In Ottawa, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau revealed further details for small and medium businesses about how to apply for the 75 percent wage subsidy he plans on recalling parliament to approve.

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