Today, the City of Toronto recorded more than 2,000 total deaths of Toronto residents as a result of COVID-19. In a media release officials said “this tragic milestone is a reminder that all people must work to protect their community by staying home as much as possible and following public health guidance”.
“Today we reached a tragic milestone with 2,017 lives lost to COVID-19 in Toronto,” said Dr. Eileen de Villa, Medical Officer of Health. “These losses in our community aren’t just numbers, they represent people who were cared for and loved. Each of these deaths represents a unique life, and someone’s family, friend or colleague. Please keep staying home as much as possible, and do everything you can to protect your health, the health of those around you, and save lives at this critical time. On behalf of everyone at Toronto Public Health, we offer our sincerest condolences to everyone who has lost a loved one to COVID-19.”
Currently there are 66,417 cases of COVID-19 in the city, an increase of 941 new cases today. There are 392 people hospitalized. In total, 57,093 people have recovered from COVID-19. As of today, 43 long-term care homes, including five City-run homes, have begun to receive the COVID-19 vaccine since December 31, according to the media statement
Toronto Public Health continues to strongly encourages everyone to only leave their home for essential reasons and observe the prohibition against indoor gatherings. Everyone is urged to review the City’s simple “Dos” and “Don’ts” guide for recommended and mandatory public health measures at www.toronto.ca/lockdownguide. The guide communicates what is, and what is not, permitted under the provincial Lockdown Regulation that remains in effect.
“This grim milestone of more than 2,000 deaths in our city over the last year should remind us all that this is a deadly virus and we must take precautions to protect ourselves and our families and continue to follow the public health advice,” said Mayor John Tory. “The best way we can honour the memory of those lost and pay tribute to those continuing to work on the frontlines of healthcare to protect us is to keep staying home as much as possible right now, wearing a mask when we go out, and avoiding gathering with people we don’t live with.”
