Calgary COVID-19 Outdoors: Toronto Health Officials See No Signs Of Rising Cases From Outdoor Contact | HuffPost News - Action.News ABC Action News WestNet-HD Weather Traffic

When Torontonians were spotted crowding beaches this past weekend, the public shaming followed. Ontario Premier Doug Ford said the photos that came out of Cherry Beach looked more like South Beach, Florida.

And youve seen what happened down in Florida, said Ford during a Monday briefing. There [were] 4,000 cases in one day the other day.

This wasnt the first time Ford had commented on preemptive large gatherings taking place in Toronto. Residents were previously criticized for gathering at Trinity Bellwoods , a large downtown park.

But in spite of condemnations from politicians and health officials who warned of increased transmission of COVID-19, Toronto Public Health (TPH) said, they have not seen any evidence of higher rates of COVID-19 in those living in and near the Trinity Bellwoods neighbourhoods or a cluster of cases that are linked to the recent large gatherings in this area.

1/2: So far there has been no evidence of increased COVID-19 activity that can be linked to the gathering in Trinity Bellwoods Park on May 23rd. However, COVID-19 continues to circulate in Toronto & over 65% of cases reported since that day are from a close contact.

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1/2: So far there has been no evidence of increased COVID-19 activity that can be linked to the gathering in Trinity Bellwoods Park on May 23rd. However, COVID-19 continues to circulate in Toronto & over 65% of cases reported since that day are from a close contact.
Toronto Public Health (@TOPublicHealth) June 8, 2020

The reason for a lack of transmission is that COVID-19 is mostly spread from close contact with someone who already has it, said Dr. Vinita Dubey, an associate medical officer of health at TPH.

While being outdoors is preferable compared to being indoors in preventing the spread of the virus, she said. We continue to advise the public to take precautions in all a public setting and spaces, both indoors and outdoors.

The citys chief medical health officer, Dr. Eileen De Villa also confirmed there is less risk for COVID-19 to spread in outdoor settings but warned that the virus continues to circulate the city.

I encourage everyone to go outside to enjoy the nice weather and to do safely as we live with COVID-19, she said in a statement.

It wasnt just Ford who reacted to the massive crowds at Toronto beaches this weekend. Toronto Mayor John Tory responded to the footage of beachgoers with a call to dispatch more by-law officers in public spaces to enforce physical distancing bylaws.

Over the weekend, we saw a number of crowds on our beaches. This raised two issues concerns about physical distancing and concerns about litter. We have dispatched more bylaw officers and clean-up crews to try to address this. pic.twitter.com/tNqLfiVlYV

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Over the weekend, we saw a number of crowds on our beaches. This raised two issues concerns about physical distancing and concerns about litter. We have dispatched more bylaw officers and clean-up crews to try to address this. pic.twitter.com/tNqLfiVlYV
John Tory (@JohnTory) June 22, 2020

But Toronto police said despite images that had Woodbine beach crowded with people, they didnt issue any tickets for the breaking of social distancing.

Officers were on scene and had no issues with the crowd complying with social distancing direction, said police spokesperson Meaghan Gray. There were several people warned about liquor infractions but that is all.

Police did not respond to requests about tickets issued at Cherry Beach, but had confirmed earlier that no one was fined for social distancing bylaws when thousands gathered at Trinity Bellwoods Park , either.

Ontario has been taking the reopening process much slower than the rest of the country , because the province accounts for almost 39 per cent of the countrys population and continues to have around 200 new COVID-19 cases daily . Within the provinces reopening plan, Torontos reopening has been delayed and its one of the last places in North America still mostly shut down due to COVID-19.

The city has been cautious with reopening, because another surge of cases could lead it to shut down again. Ontario entered Stage 2 of reopening on June 12, allowing people to expand their social circles to 10 members. On Wednesday, patios reopened for business, as long as they they follow social distancing precautions.

In other large cities, like Vancouver, data shows that as people return to parks and other outdoor spaces, the province hasnt seen cases rise either. In her briefing April 9, B.C.s top doctor Bonnie Henry urged residents to spend time outdoors.

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