The role of international travel in the fight against the coronavirus is being seen in mainland China where new cases of the infection have surged in just two days. Cases doubled in 24 hours as the number of infected overseas travellers surged and new asymptomatic infections more than quadrupled, pressuring authorities to tighten measures to stem local transmissions. New confirmed cases rose to 62 on Tuesday from 32 a day earlier, the National Health Commission said, the highest since March 25. New imported infections accounted for 59 of the cases. The number of new asymptomatic cases more than quadrupled to 137, the health authority said on Wednesday, with incoming travelers accounting for 102.

The Ministry of Health has confirmed 421 new cases of COVID-19 Monday. The number is up slightly from the 401 new cases reported Sunday but is lower than the high of 550 cases that was confirmed on April 8. The scrutiny of case numbers continues as authorities labour to flatten the curve of COVID-19 spread. Government website

Large knife in hand

Further video is seen here of the apparently deranged man wielding a large kitchen knife at Bathurst and King Sts. Sunday. Previous

Premier Doug Ford will be joined by Health Minister Christine Elliott and Finance Minister Rod Phillips at 1 p.m. Monday to make an announcement.

• Coronavirus: What’s happening in Canada and around the world Monday
• Empty grocer shelves don’t signal food security issues, but there are challenges looming

Mayor Tory has appeared on Citytv early Monday updating social distancing enforcement. He also announced two new child care centers for children of essential health workers.

Police cruiser is about to strike fleeing suspect (right)

Police report the capture of what is called a knife robbery suspect on lower Bathurst St between King and Front Sts. Sunday at the supper hour. Video posted to Twitter shows a brief, dramatic chase that ends when a police cruiser knocks over the suspect and police pounce on him. He is said to be wielding a large kitchen knife. The accused and a police officer are reported to have minor injuries. Twitter

Highway 401 near Winston Churchill/OPP_HSD

A transport truck carrying industrial rolls of paper has crashed into a so-called “collision cushion” on Highway 401 near Winston Churchill Blvd Sunday. The vehicle caught fire and the spectacular events are captured on several Twitter videos seen at the OPP Highway Safety Division account. The driver apparently escaped. Firefighters. Flames and narration by Sergeant Schmidt

Fortunately no serious injuries. Transport truck driver collided into crash cushion and rolled over in a construction zone on #Hwy401/Winston Churchill Blvd.
OPP beginning to clear the backlog of traffic. Expect delays pic.twitter.com/kMhzPVbVPG

— OPP Highway Safety Division (@OPP_HSD) April 12, 2020

Sasha Glegg, 9, with mom Stephanie

Dr. Henry

Sasha Glegg wrote to the British Columbia chief health officer Bonnie Henry asking what to do about her carefully planned 9th birthday in the face of social distancing and isolation. She was sad that her Harry Potter-themed event had to be cancelled. It’s a heart-warming story in the midst of the national anguish over nursing home deaths and personal financial crises. Dr. Henry found time to reply to Sasha.

The Ministry of Health reported an increase of 401 new cases of COVID-19 infection Sunday morning, the lowest such number since April 7 when 379 cases were reported. As recently as last Wednesday the daily count was 550, the highest daily number since measurement began. The number of new cases each day is a critical measure of whether the crisis enforcement of personal distancing and isolation is bringing the infection under control. Government website

The Ministry of Health has reported 411 new COVID-19 infections Saturday along with 31 more deaths, taking the province’s total case count including recoveries to 6,648. Recent daily totals of new infections are Saturday (today) 411, Friday 478, Thursday 483 and 550 Wednesday.  Website

Toronto Police have issued an alert about an email phishing scam that tries to extort money out of the owners of Hotmail accounts. The extortion demand comes in the mail containing the user’s password and a demand for $1900 in bitcoin. It threatens to release alleged compromising or explicit photos and/or videos of the recipient. If, after receiving this email, you believe such photos/videos may really exist, please contact the police at 416-808-2222.