City reports 5 new cases of COVID-19, lowest since March

Toronto has made"significant progress" in reducing the spread of COVID-19 asthe number of new cases, hospitalizations and outbreaks in the city are all decreasing, says the city's medical officer of health.

Dr. Eileen de Villa told a city hall news conference on Monday thatTorontohasa total of fivenew cases,the lowestdaily case count since March 1. However, 58 infectionswere also reported over the weekend.

Despite the city's progress, De Villa saidshe's concerned about COVID-19 fatigue amongyoung people who don't feel like they are at risk, and a resurgence of the virus that she'sseeing in other Canadian citiesfurther along in their reopening plans.

"The reality isthat COVID-19 is still here, and we need everyone to stay focused on stopping its spread.We cannot let our guard down," she said.

Toronto Mayor John Tory said he knows people are tired of the restrictions, including the ongoing playground closures that would end under Stage 3.

But he saidthe only way everyone can move forward isif local COVID-19 indicators suggest the city isn't in danger of aresurgence of the novel coronavirus and going back into lockdown.

Health officials are reminding Torontonians that younger people are not immuneand that even if you haven't been infectedit does not mean that you cannot get the disease.

Concerns that virus could come 'roaring back'

De Villa saidhanging out indoors for coffee, play dates for kids and dinners with people outside your social circle is not physical distancing.

"We need to stay ahead of the virus to keep moving forwardinto reopening,"she said.

De Villa saidher public health team ispreparing for a future surge of infectionsin the city if or when Toronto moves to Stage 3 of reopening.

As of July 27, Toronto Public Health said15,337cases of COVID-19 have been reported in the city and 13,722people have recovered, an increase of 104 over the weekend.A total of 1,150peopled have died from the virus.

Health officials saidthey have made recommendations to city councilfor the city to set up isolation spaces in hotel rooms for people who get COVID-19 and can't self-isolate at home, once it gets federal funding.

The reality isthat COVID-19 is still here, and we need everyone to stay focused on stopping its spread.We cannot let our guard down.- Dr. Eileen de Villa

The city saidtalks withthe federal governmentare going very well and they hope to reach a deal in the coming weeks.

Torysaidhe's had positive discussions with the Ontario government about whether Toronto can move into Stage 3. The city is awaiting adecision from the premier on Wednesday.

City officials also said they will be looking at reviewing the rules for bars and gyms under Stage 3.

Tory added thatthe city's progress is being threatened by infections from those venues and the private parties being reported across the GTA.

Federal,provincial governments helping city

Meanwhile, at a newsconference on Monday, Ontario Premier Ford announced up to $4 billion would be provided for 444 municipalities in the provincein partnership with the federal government.

The money will be used to support shelters, food banks, public healthand transit systems, said Ford. "It's a great deal for Ontario."

Up to $2 billion will be allocated to public transit funding shared equally between the province and federal government.

Thatfunding will help support transit operators that the province says have seen a significant decline in revenue during the pandemic.

Earlier this month, the province announced a $7-billion COVID-19 recovery deal with the federal government. The funding is expected to partly go toward bailing out municipalities that are faced with soaring expenses and plunging revenues due to the pandemic something cityleaders likeJohn Tory have repeatedly pushed for.

Torycalledthe announcementa "very positive" development after weeks of asking for financial support.

The city does not have confirmation ofhow much money it will get but it isexpected to find out in the next few weeks.

"I'm hopeful we'll get the entire $1.3 billion but I can't say I'm expecting it," said Tory.

He also thankedPrime Minister Justin Trudeau, Premier Ford and the Ontario finance minister for their work inhelping municipalitiesacross the province.

HistoricTO launches

While Torontowaits for more details on funding, the city announced thelaunch ofanother municipalinitiative calledHistoricTO.

The plan will allow Toronto's historical museums and sites such as Fort York, Gibson House and Toddmorden Village to give tours.

HistoricTO starts on July 29 and the tours willlast 60 minutes each. They will cover topics such ascolonization, LGBTQrightsand Black history.

People planning to visit any of the sites will be asked to pay what they can. However, there is a suggested amount of $10 for admission. Tours will be physically distancedand must be booked in advance.

For those who would rather learn about the city's history from their home, Toronto museums are also working to put seldom seen artifacts online.

As the citycontinues to open upmore spaces tothe public, municipal officials arestill concerned by the large gatherings they've seen in recent weeks at clubs, beaches and homes.

Tory saidhe doesn't want to announce beach closures butwill do that if he has to.

"There is risk any time people gather closely but that risk is clearly higher when they gather indoors versusoutdoors," said de Villa.

The citysaidbylaw officers visited 33 different establishments on the weekend.

Eight venues in were found to be in contravention ofpandemic rules.Sevenwere given warnings and one was charged.