Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):

On March 28, 2020, the City of Toronto distributed 1,252 boxes that contained 62,500 surgical masks. These masks were distributed to long-term care homes as part of the city’s inventory supply process on March 27, 2020.

After reports of ripping and tearing, it was determined that the surgical masks did not meet city standards and specifications. Toronto Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) teams have engaged with employees who may have used the masks and OHS is investigating. It is expected that OHS will provide information as it becomes available.

To ensure that the city’s stockpile of personal protective equipment (PPE) meets city standards, specification engineers will provide specification comparisons to ensure quality.

The masks identified as not meeting specifications represented roughly 50 per cent of the surgical mask inventory leaving the City of Toronto with a two to three-week surgical mask supply. The remaining stockpile of personal protection equipment equals six to eight weeks.

Chief, Matthew Pegg, General Manager of Emergency Management has informed the public that the current PPE inventory remains stable and that fraudulent and lower quality PPE is a growing issue around the world.

Toronto COVID-19 Enforcement:

The City of Toronto enforcement team, which is comprised of City of Toronto, Toronto Public Health and Toronto Police Services continues to conduct coordinated enforcement activities. The city received an additional 55 complaints regarding non-essential businesses remaining opening and enforcement teams are investigating and responding to each complaint.

Since March 24, 2020, the city’s enforcement team has issued 34 notices under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act. Furthermore, 385 complains were received on April 6, 2020 that resulted in 12 tickets being issued to individuals not abiding by physical distancing measures.

Protecting Vulnerable Populations:

The City of Toronto is increasing measures to protect individuals in long-term care homes and the city’s shelter system. To date, 1200 rooms in 12 hotels have been secured and 313 people have been moved into these accommodations. A further 17 at-risk individuals have been rehoused and 60 units have been matched with people under the city’s housing programs. The city has also provided care for 20 individuals that are currently being housed at the city’s COVID-19 isolation site. This is in addition to the opening of a new 200 bed site, which is operated in partnership with the province to house vulnerable residents who are required to be in isolation.