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

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

Canadian public health officials reveal national projections for coronavirus pandemic; GFL Memorial Gardens will be alternate hospital site

National projections for the COVID-19 pandemic were released by Canadian public health officials Thursday, revealing estimates that anywhere between 11,000 and 22,000 Canadians could die due to the virus during its initial, most severe wave.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau used Thursday's daily address from Rideau Cottage to comment on those projections, saying that smaller waves of the coronavirus could last months after the initial wave.

Trudeau reminded Canadians that this "new reality" could last several months.

The projections released Thursday indicate Canada could reach the peak of the first wave by the end of spring, with the first wave subsiding by the summer.

In provincial news, Statistics Canada reported Thursday that there were 403,000 job losses in Ontario over the past month.

The provincial government announced the launch of the Ontario Jobs and Recovery Committee Thursday, which finance minister Rod Phillips says will be tasked with planning for the recovery of the province's economy in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The committee will consist of cabinet ministers representing all sectors of Ontario's economy.

On Wednesday, Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced that grocery stores in the province will be closed Good Friday and Easter Sunday in order to provide a break for workers at grocery stores and pharmacies.

There are now 200 deaths attributed to COVID-19 in Ontario, according to latest numbers from the province.

In local news, GFL Memorial Gardens has been secured as a alternate hospital site in repsonse to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Algoma Public Health spoke with SooToday to explain the high number of 'pending' COVID-19 test results in the Algoma District.

SooToday reports that Algoma Steel has temporarily halted work on its No. 2 ladle metallurgy facility due to uncertainty over COVID-19 regulations.

Social Services announced Friday that it will open a centre at the YMCA to provide licensed emergency child care for children of health care providers and other essential service workers.

The centre opens April 13.

If you're looking for some feel-good local news, look no further: SooToday delivers its first virtual Random Act of Kindness in the form of a donation to Sault Area Hospital.

Here are the latest COVID-19 numbers for the Algoma District from Algoma Public Health: