The Ministry of Health has confirmed 260 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number province-wide to 1,966. The number is a decline from the record number of 351 new cases announced Monday. As interpreted by CP24, Ontario appears to be reducing the backlog of tests that had grown in recent weeks. It was more than 10,000 on March 25 but is now said to be 4,280.

Amid the thundering impact of COVID-19 on people and the economy, a heartbreaking nursing home tragedy has come to light in Bobcaygeon in the Kawartha Lakes northeast of Lake Simcoe. Thirteen people have died and 34 residents have tested positive. How the virus got into the home is not known but the awful result is easily understood. Elderly people close together in a confined area created a predictable disaster.

Fatal crash and fire Monday at Princes’ Gates at Exhibition Place/as seen on CTV Twitter

A person has died in what is said to be a single-car crash at the Princes’ Gates at Exhibition Place Monday afternoon. Police are investigating the speed of the vehicle just before the crash along with other factors.

Crash at Princes’ Gates Monday

Reverend Emily heard at home via Zoom

Old church still there

Twitter posts tell of the innovative teleconferencing of Sunday’s Leaside United Church service by an application known as Zoom. One reads: “Thank you to everyone in this morning’s service on Zoom. There were approximately 60 screens, some with more than one person singing, chatting and listening to Rev Emily (Gordon) talk about these forced days of ‘staying in Lent’ for the time being and being asked to be coworkers bringing hope.”

The Ministry of Health has reported 351 new cases of COVID-19 on Monday. This the highest daily figure of new cases so far reported. The number follows the announcement Sunday of 211 new cases. There are said to be a total of 1706 confirmed cases in Ontario as of March 29. Global News says the government has, for unstated reasons, stopped showing how many cases are awaiting test results. More than 7,200 people had been listed as under investigation as of Sunday.

Glen Rd. and Roxborough Dr

Glen Rd. and Whitney Ave.

Road narrowing at two intersections in North Rosedale is part of the City’s long-term plan to make things safer for pedestrians. Here we see the corner of Roxborough Drive at Glen Rd. outside Rosedale United Church and the nearby corner of Glen and Whitney Ave. The so-called Spaghetti Sidewalks were first seen locally in Leaside at Randolph and Kenrae Rds.

Needed every day at work

Carmen Jones, RN

Far more than just a nurse

Hanna Road resident Carmen Jones, RN, rides her bike to work at the University Health Network each day. It seems her considerable experience (not to mention courage) was never more needed than it is now. Ms. Jones recently tweeted this shot of herself wearing a sign that says “Just a nurse biking to work.” She says it makes drivers 100 percent more careful. And so it should. The Bulldog’s hat is off to Nurse Jones.

It won’t be everyone’s cup of tea but as an example of first-world complaining, there is this. FB

The Ministry of Health has announced an additional 211 cases of COVID-19 on Sunday, bringing the number of active cases in the province to 1326. It is the biggest single-day increase in the number of confirmed cases since testing began. Recent totals have ranged between 100 and 170 a day. There have been 21 deaths. Virus-fighting team members see some hope in the declining number of so-called pending cases (people with uncompleted tests). It stood Sunday at 7,203 compared to a previous high of more than 10,000.

City News reporter Maleeha Sheikh seems to have a pleasant private life and good for her. She’s been self-isolating and no doubt everyone will sympathize with Maleeha and her family. But there are also countless able-bodied people enduring boring days at home in something close to solitary confinement. Many are having to find new resolve as days of isolation and social distancing turn into weeks.

A war fought on many fronts

Meanwhile, the problematic side effects of battling the COVID-19 seem endless. It is a war being fought on multiple fronts. The business implications range across retail establishments forced out of business to the possible failure of real estate transactions.

Fire at Kingsway Persian Rugs, 4160 Dundas West/Mike Carew

Fire has heavily damaged Kingsway Persian Rugs at 4160 Dundas St. West early Sunday. Video from the scene shows that the three-alarm fire has ripped through the roof of the business. Flames reached high enough to threaten a high voltage hydro line above the building making extra caution necessary for the firefighters. Two TTC buses provided shelter for those living above the shop. Video by Mike Carew

The Ministry of Health has announced a further 151 cases of COVID-19 infection in the province Saturday. It brings the number of active cases to 1,118. Recent daily reports have placed the number of new COVID cases at 100, 170 and 135.