COVID-19: Here's the situation in the Sault today

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Wednesday that small businesses impacted by COVID-19 will now be required to show a 15 per cent drop in revenue during the month of March in order to qualify for the previously announced 75 per cent wage subsidy. 

Businesses will also have the option of using the months of January and February as a reference point in terms of showing a drop in revenue, and can also choose to either include or exclude the wage subsidy when calculating losses. 

Prior to Wednesday's announcement, businesses had to show a 30 per cent drop in revenue when compared to the same month of the previous year. 

The wage subsidy - which will provide eligible employers 75 per cent of wages to a maximum of $58,700 or $847 per week for up to 12 weeks - is retroactive to March 15. 

In other federal news, the Canada student jobs program will now cover 100 per cent of the costs associated with hiring students, with an option for students to be hired in a part-time capacity. 

Trudeau announced Wednesday that the federal government has received a shipment of 500,000 N95 masks from 3M. 

The masks are expected to be distributed to provinces soon. 

In other federal news, employment minister Carla Qualtrough told reporters Wednesday there has been a total of 3.87 million claims that have been processed by the Canada Revenue Agency for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit.

In provincial news, Public Health Ontario reported an 11.6 increase in new cases of COVID-19 Wednesday morning. 

The 552 new new lab-confirmed cases of COVID-19 reported in the last 24 hours is a single-day record for the province.

Premier Doug Ford is demanding to see 13,000 COVID-19 tests performed each day beginning immediately, citing an "unacceptable" number of tests in the province over the past few days. 

The province announced Wednesday that it will implement new measures to keep essential workers safe, including the deployment of additional employment standards officers, health and safety specialists and workplace inspectors. 

Ford also announced that essential workers will also have two days off - Good Friday and Easter Sunday - during the upcoming long weekend. 

The Ontario government is deferring $15 million in property taxes for people and businesses in parts of Northern Ontario located outside of municipal boundaries. 

Taxpayers will have 90 extra days to pay without incurring interest or penalties. 

The province has also announced $2.7 million in funding for victims of domestic violence, which is attributed to a recent spike in domestic violence reported by victims' services organizations during the COVID-19 crisis.

Victim Services of Algoma in Sault Ste. Marie will receive $65,000 of the one-time emergency funding. 

Here are the latest COVID-19 numbers from Algoma Public Health: 

• 666 tested
• 9 positive
• 427 negative 
• 230 pending

Regions in the Algoma District with positive cases of COVID-19 include Sault Ste. Marie and area, Central and East Algoma and Elliot Lake and area. 

In regional news, the North Shore Health Network will reopen the Thessalon Site Emergency Department, effective Wednesday, April 8 at 4 p.m.