Wikipedia

COVID-19 pandemic in the Regional Municipality of York

For effects of the pandemic in the province, see COVID-19 pandemic in Ontario.

The COVID-19 pandemic is an ongoing viral pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), a novel infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). This pandemic has affected the Regional Municipality of York since early 2020 and has led to lockdowns as well as stay-at-home orders made by the Government of Ontario. A vaccination program began in December 2020 and is currently ongoing.

COVID-19 pandemic in the Regional Municipality of York
DiseaseCOVID-19
Virus strainSARS-CoV-2
LocationRegional Municipality of York, Ontario, Canada
Confirmed cases69,733
Active cases6,839
Recovered62,111
Deaths
783
Fatality rate1.12%
Government website
york.ca/covid19
Sunday service at Central United Church in the Markham neighbourhood of Unionville is livestreamed online during the pandemic

Background

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On March 18, 2020, the municipalities of Aurora and Newmarket declared an emergency due to increasing community spread of COVID-19.[1] By the next week, the provincial government declared an emergency and imposed immediate public health measures.

Timeline

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February 2020

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February 25 – a woman from Iran returning to York Region tests positive for COVID-19. This was the first case reported in York Region.[2]

March 2020

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March 23 – the provincial government orders all non-essential businesses (e.g. restaurants, mall retail) to close. Gathering limits are introduced. Due to the hardship imposed on businesses, subsidies and financial relief measures were introduced.[3]

April 2020

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April 10 – an outbreak at Participation House, a care home takes place. Participation House is a care home for adults with developmental disabilities.[4]

Government response

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Transit

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As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic leading to a lockdown, York Region Transit reduced service. School routes were cancelled. To reduce contact between the driver and passengers, boarding was done at the back door [5] and fares were not collected until July 2, 2020, when front-door boarding resumed.[6]

Impacts

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Business closures and cancellations

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COVID-19 has led to shutdowns of non-essential businesses in York Region, such as restaurants, movie theatres and gyms. This happened at the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020. By July 2020, non-essential businesses were permitted to open in stage 3, but were closed again on October 19, 2020.[7]

Schools

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At the beginning of the pandemic in 2020, COVID-19 forced schools in York Region to close for the rest of the academic year.[8]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "UPDATED: Coronavirus prompts Newmarket, Aurora to declare states of emergency". March 18, 2020. Retrieved January 1, 2022.
  2. ^ "How the COVID-19 pandemic unfolded in York Region". August 31, 2021. Retrieved January 1, 2022.
  3. ^ "How the COVID-19 pandemic unfolded in York Region". August 31, 2021. Retrieved January 1, 2022.
  4. ^ "How the COVID-19 pandemic unfolded in York Region". August 31, 2021. Retrieved January 1, 2022.
  5. ^ "YRT service changes begin on Sunday May 2". May 1, 2020. Retrieved January 1, 2022.
  6. ^ "Masks mandatory on YRT effective July 2, 2020". June 30, 2020. Retrieved January 1, 2022.
  7. ^ "Ontario moves York Region to modified Stage 2 as COVID-19 cases rise". October 16, 2020. Retrieved January 10, 2022.
  8. ^ "Pages - Novel Coronavirus Update".
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