Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced $1.1 billion in funding Thursday for the launch of a national research strategy in response to COVID-19.
Nearly $115 million will fund research for the development of COVID-19 vaccines and treatments in hospitals and universities, with another $662 million funnding clinical trials.
Trudeau says that $350 million of the announced funding will be used to expand COVID-19 testing and modelling capabilities.
The prime minister also used Thursday's daily address to announce the launch of the COVID-19 Immunity Task Force, which will be tasked with testing 2,000,000 Canadians over the course of two years for COVID-19 research.
Trudeau also confirmed Thursday that military support will be deployed to long-term care homes in Ontario.
In provincial news, Ontario is reporting 634 new COVID-19 cases Wednesday, as cases and deaths at long-term care homes continue to rise in the province.
The emergency order in Ontario has been extended until May 6.
Premier Doug Ford announced the launch of the COVID-19 Action Plan for Vulnerable People Thursday, which aims to provide support to vulnerable Ontarians in homes serving those with developmental disabilities, shelters for survivors of gender-based violence and human trafficking, and children's residential settings.
In local news, the Downtown Association has hired private security to perform COVID-19 patrols on Queen Street.
COVID-19 has postponed the monster truck show at GFL Memorial Gardens next month.
SooToday's Darren Taylor spoke with a local woman whose father had his cancer surgery postponed due to COVID-19.
Here are the latest COVID-19 numbers from Algoma Public Health:
- 1,603 tested
- 12 positive
- 1,250 negative
- 341 pending
- 0 deceased
- 9 resolved
Total confirmed cases by area of residence:
8 in Sault Ste. Marie and area
1 in central and east Algoma
3 in Elliot Lake and area ***
0 in north Algoma
*** Three positive cases in Elliot Lake and area have been confirmed by Elliot Lake Family Health Team, but not Algoma Public Health
