Ontario is reporting more than 2,500 new cases of COVID-19 today and 23 more deaths, marking the highest daily case count reported in the province since late January.
Provincial health officials confirmed 2,557 new cases of the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, up from 2,333 on Wednesday and 2,336 on Tuesday.
It is the highest daily case count recorded since January 22, which 2,662 new infections were logged.
Ontario hits ‘emergency brake’ as province enters month-long COVID shutdown
“The entire province will move to emergency brake shutdown,” a senior government source said Wednesday night speaking on condition of anonymity.
Premier Doug Ford will announce that the measures take effect at the end of Friday, at midnight, with a new wrinkle — non-essential retail stores can remain open at 25 per cent capacity.
But despite the improving spring weather, some freedoms will disappear.
“No more patios, no more indoor dining anywhere,” said the source, adding barbershops, hair and nail salons now open in parts of the province not under lockdown will have to close.
