The South Bayview Bulldog

The Ministry of Health says Saturday that another 455 cases of COVID-19 were added to the toll of the infection since March. But it says that 68 of them should have been included in earlier reports, meaning that the true number of cases confirmed over the last 24 hours is 387. True number or otherwise, the complex and often murky process of tracking the deadly virus continues to challenge those charged with the job. Just when and how these additional 68 cases got lost is not explained except as a mix-up between labs. A rolling five-day average of new cases stands at 374. Saturday’s report notes an impressive 23,105 tests performed in the last 24-hour reporting period. Daily summaries since March

The Ontario government has extended emergency orders related to the virus pandemic from June 9 to June 19. This includes a ban on social gatherings of more than five people and limiting restaurants to take-out service only. Child care centres, hairdressers, barbers and similar service businesses will remain closed for now. Government release

When will hairdressers, barbers return

The City of Toronto has issued a news release Friday saying that return of personal service businesses is coming. But it doesn’t say when. Virus confinement has been exacerbated for many people by scruffy, ungroomed gloom. The release says that hairdressers, barbers, manicurists and others will have to keep a social distance as they work. It’s a bit of a contradiction in terms.

Enormously popular band will perform Saturday on television.

Stockmarkets in New York and Toronto surged ahead Friday on the strength of better than expected employment and a belief that low-priced blue chips are likely to rebound in the coming months. The TSX was up more than 300, New York by 750 at mid-morning. Bloomberg

• Bouncing back? Canada added 290,000 jobs in May

Downtown stores are boarded up Friday in anticipation of demonstrations Saturday night. No one knows what’s going to happen if anything.

Uh, welcome to Toronto

Chief Public Health Officer Theresa Tam says that 90 percent of COVID-19 in Canada is in Ontario and Quebec with the highest concentrations in Toronto and Montreal. CBC

Police Chief Saunders has scheduled a news conference for Thursday afternoon about what is being called “current events.” It can be seen here.

The Ministry of Health reports 356 new cases of COVID-19, a figure seen by authorities as part of a recent plateau of infection in this range. Wednesday’s number was 338. CP24 quotes virus physician Isaac Bogoch of the University Health Network as saying the pandemic locally is in a slow decline. “Just remember – cases in Ontario used to be 600 to 700 cases each day, now we’re in the 300 to 400 cases each day range. There is very good progress, we’re headed in the right direction. We’ve plateaued, unfortunately, but certainly with issues with contact tracing and testing, but those are being resolved,” he told the Bell Media cable service. Slow as molasses it seems. All daily summaries since March

Toronto Fire responded to what was described as a transformer fire on a pole at Soudan  Ave and Marmot St Thursday morning shortly after 11 a.m. Motorists were advised to avoid the area.