City's top doctor says surge likely tied to Thanksgiving as Toronto reports 300 new cases of COVID-19
City has been under modified Stage 2 restrictions for weeks without a major reduction
Toronto reported 300 new cases of COVID-19 on Monday after a weekend of record breaking numbers of new infections in the province.
In a briefing on Monday, Dr. Eileen de Villa, the city's medical officer of health, said the surge comes two weeks after Thanksgiving Monday.
"I think it's reasonable to think that part of the surge we're seeing in Toronto is tied to Thanksgiving," she said.
Between Thanskgiving Monday, Oct. 12 and Oct. 23, de Villa said the city has seen 3,907 new cases.
The steady rise in cases come even as Toronto, along with Peel Region and Ottawa have been under modified Stage 2 restrictions for the past two weeks.
According to data from Toronto Public Health (TPH), the seven day moving average of new cases in Toronto is 308.
The new daily count brings the total cases to 26,870 since the beginning of the pandemic. Of those, 22,540 have been marked resolved.
Thirty-six health-care institutions — which include long-term care homes and hospitals — are experiencing outbreaks, along with eight schools.
Hospitalizations have been on the rise, with 132 people in hospital due to the virus. A total of 1,353 have died in Toronto after contracting COVID-19.
Free delivery to support local restaurants
Meanwhile, Mayor John Tory announced an incentive for residents to order food from local businesses.
Starting Monday, more than 1,000 local restaurants that are enrolled in the Open for Business program — the city's collaboration with food services Ritual and DoorDash — will be able to offer free delivery until Nov. 8.
During the two-week promotion, residents can order food from eligible restaurants through Ritual without incurring a delivery fee. Delivery fees will also be waived for the local business.