Ford government announces $1.75 BILLION investment into long-term care homes

Ford announced that his government would be committing to building 30,000 beds over the next 10 years, kickstarting the development with a $1.75 billion investment.

"This new approach will help break down historic barriers and accelerate the construction of urgently needed long-term care projects, and new and redeveloped beds," a statement from the government reads. "Over the next five years, the government is investing $1.75 billion in long-term care homes. It is also updating design standards to include air conditioning for any new and renovated homes, beginning immediately."

Ontario racked up 102 new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday—the lowest increase in a single day since late March. The provincial total now sits at 37,052, according to Global News.

The death toll in the province due to the virus, at the time of this writing, is 2,732, with 32,920 making a recovery.

The province has conducted a total of 1,752,828 COVID-19 tests, which is up from 23,769 tests from the day prior.

Ontario has seen a consistent decline in the number of new cases in the past several weeks, with the province reporting 102 cases on Wednesday—the lowest positive cases reported in a single day since March 25, which reported 100 new coronavirus cases.

A report Wednesday indicated that the majority of new cases are cropping up around the Greater Toronto Area, with Toronto reporting 49 cases, Peel Region reporting 14, and New Region reporting five additional cases, according to Global News.

“Locally, 31 of Ontario’s 34 public health units are reporting five or fewer cases, with fully 19 of them reporting no new cases,” Christine Elliott, Health Minister, said.

She added: “With 135 more resolved, there are 33 fewer active cases in Ontario as we continue to track a persistent decline in the number of active cases in the province.”

Global News reported that Ontario had seen 115 individuals admitted into the hospital due to the contagion (down 22 from the previous day), with 31 in the ICU (up by one from the previous day), and 22 in the ICU with the aid of a ventilator (up by a single patient).