On this one-year anniversary of first COVID case in Toronto, Mayor John Tory says we need to step up efforts to follow public health advice.

In addition, Tory and his counterparts across the region are renewing their calls for federal and provincial action on sick pay.

“The Mayors and Chairs strongly urge the provincial and federal governments to take urgent action on sick pay, please step up and make this guarantee for the duration of the pandemic,” said Tory. “As the Mayor and Chairs have pointed out many times, failure to address this adequately is putting health at risk.”

Like Premier Doug Ford, Tory is also calling for more COVID testing at airports.

In light of the rising number of deaths in the second COVID wave, Toronto’s top doctor says public health is contacting all long term care, retirement homes and rehab hospitals asking them to review virus infection prevention and control measures.

“These measures include screening of residents, staff and anyone who must enter these facilities, universal masking, supply and use of personal protective equipment, thorough hand washing protocols, physical distancing measures, environmental cleaning, surveillance testing and auditing,” remarked Dr. Eileen de Villa.

There are 767 new COVID cases in Toronto and 15 new deaths reported Monday.