Avleen K Mokha
COVID-19 refers to the disease caused by a new kind of coronavirus. Coronavirus is a family of viruses that can affect animals and humans. The family of viruses causes respiratory illnesses.
The new kind of coronavirus was found in Wuhan, China in December 2019.
On April 6, 2020 – Globally, there have been 1,279,722 confirmed cases of COVID-19, including 72,616 deaths, reported to the World Health Organization (WHO).
April 7, 2020:
The numbers today
Santé Montréal reports 3,977 cases in the Montreal region. 8,580 people have been confirmed to have COVID-19, as per the province’s update on April 6.
In the Villeray–Saint-Michel–Parc-Extension borough, 160 cases have been confirmed.
Spouses may be present during birth, except at Jewish General
In his press release yesterday, Quebec Premier François Legault assured pregnant women, “You can be accompanied by a person for your birth in all hospitals in Quebec, except at the Jewish General Hospital in Montreal.”
Women scheduled to give birth at Jewish General can change hospitals if they are not okay giving birth without their partner.
On April 5, Jewish General Hospital decided to ban spouses after a man with COVID-19 attended a birth, Legault said.
At present there is no evidence that pregnant women are at higher risk of severe illness than the general population, according to WHO. However, WHO recommends caution as pregnant women can be badly affected by some respiratory infections.
Metro and IGA list stores with COVID-19 cases
Grocery stores like IGA and Metro are listing stores in which an employee or a third person has tested for COVID-19.
Metro added 9 stores on its webpage yesterday, all in the Quebec region.
The Metro on André-Grasset in Ahuntsic is the nearest store to the Parc-Extension with a confirmed case of COVID-19.
Costco confirmed that there were three positive COVID-19 cases at its Anjou store, as reported to to CJAD 800. The employees last worked on March 14, March 20 and March 24th.
City implementing delivery system
The city of Montreal is collaborating with Jalon Montreal, the Society of Commercial Development (SDC) and other partners, to set up a secure, affordable and accessible delivery system.
Merchants who wish to participate in the project can register by clicking here.
City to provide free guidance for businesses working online
The City is taking steps to support businesses that want to go digital or improve their online practices. Merchants who wish to take advantage of free support can apply by April 17.
Applications can be made online by clicking here.
Main resources
+1 877 644-4545: Government hotline for COVID-19
211: Multilingual social and community helpline
Click here to visit the ACCESS Montreal website for information about COVID-19 in languages other than French.
Languages include English, Arabic, Persian, Greek, Italian, Hindi, Punjabi, Bengali, Malayalam, Tamil, Urdu, Turkish, Portuguese, Russian, and Armenian.
April 6, 2020:
Non-essential businesses and shops will be closed until May 4, Premier Legault announced in a press release on Sunday. The partial shutdown was originally set till April 13.
Quebec launched the Blue Basket (lepanierbleu.ca) on April 5. The Blue Basket is a digital platform that allows people in Quebec to find local products and services in each of the regions of Quebec. Premier Legault saying that buying local products can support local businesses.
The parking areas of Mont-Royal Park and the Notre-Dame Island will be closed, the City of Montreal announced on Sunday.
Workers at the CHUM, Notre-Dame Hospital and the Jewish General Hospital can park free of charge. Workers can use one of 150 metered parking spaces near their workplace.
They will need a COVID-19 sticker. They can obtain this sticker from their healthcare facility.
