City’s top doctor says surge likely tied to Thanksgiving as Toronto reports 300 new cases of COVID-19

Toronto reported 300 new cases of COVID-19 on Monday after a weekend of record breaking numbers of new infections in the province.

In a briefing on Monday, Dr. Eileen de Villa, the city’s medical officer of health, said the surge comes two weeks after Thanksgiving Monday.

“I think it’s reasonable to think that part of the surge we’re seeing in Toronto is tied to Thanksgiving,” she said.

Between Thanskgiving Monday, Oct. 12 and Oct. 23, de Villa said the city has seen 3,907 new cases.

The steady rise in cases come even as Toronto, along with Peel Region and Ottawa have been under modified Stage 2 restrictions for the past two weeks.

According to data from Toronto Public Health (TPH), the seven day moving average of new cases in Toronto is 288.

TPH reported a total case count of 26,586 since the beginning of the pandemic, as of Saturday. Of those, 22,286 have been marked resolved.

As of Thursday, 30 healthcare institutions — which include long-term care homes and hospitals — are experiencing outbreaks. Eleven Toronto schools are also experiencing outbreaks.

Hospitalizations have been on the rise, with 132 people currently in hospital due to the virus. A total of 1,350 have died in Toronto after contracting COVID-19.

Free delivery to support local restaurants

Meanwhile, Mayor John Tory announced an incentive for residents to order food from local businesses.

Starting today, more than 1,000 local restaurants that are enrolled in the Open for Business program — the city’s collaboration with food services Ritual and DoorDash — will be able to offer free delivery until Nov. 8.

During the two-week promotion, residents can order food from eligible restaurants through Ritual without incurring a delivery fee. Delivery fees will also be waived for the local business.

CBC