COVID-19: Here's the situation in the Sault today

Beginning at 6 a.m. ET Monday, the federal government launched an application portal through which Canadians facing unemployment due to the COVID-19 crisis can apply for emergency income support benefits. 

Canadians can go to the Canadian government website for information about the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB). 

Payments are $2,000 a month for up to four months.

Applicants who have direct deposit are expected to receive a first payment within three to five days. Those who use regular mail should receive a first payment within 10 days.

Those eligible, born in January through March, are asked to apply on April 6, the first day the web portal opens. People born in April through June are to apply April 7, those born in July through September on April 8, and Canadians with birth months October through December can sign up on April 9 (any month, Friday, Saturday and Sunday). 

Canadians applying by phone may call the automated toll-free line at 1-800-959-2019.

At the provincial level, Premier Doug Ford has stated Ontario has "roughly a one-week supply" of critical personal protective equipment (PPE) remaining due to restrictions at the U.S. border and delays in other global shipments.

In local news, here are the latest COVID-19 numbers from Algoma Public Health: 

• 575 tested

• 8 positive

• 359 negative

• 208 pending 

Almost 16,500 COVID-19 cases have been confirmed in Canada, with cases recorded in every province and territory except Nunavut. As of Monday afternoon, there have been 339 COVID-19-related deaths in Canada.