During Wednesday's coronavirus briefing, Ontario premier Doug Ford announced more than $115 million to support 850 patients with complex care needs transition to home and community care as part of the province's COVID-19 fall preparedness plan. The funding also includes 14.5 million to expand virtual care across the province.

Ford also spoke after a coalition of about 50 retailers called on the Ontario government to lift COVID-19 restrictions for non-essential stores it claims is making things worse. He said that ultimately he has to "follow the advice of the chief medical officer," and that health and wellbeing comes first.

In the open letter sent to Ford and Health Minister Christine Elliott, the retailers argue that shutting down Toronto and Peel Region to restrict the virus’s spread hasn’t reduced the number of shoppers.
Instead, consumers are funnelled into fewer, crowded stores and adjacent communities, which potentially creates a greater health risk.

Ontario reported 1,707 new cases of the novel coronavirus on Tuesday, bringing the provincial total to 118,199.

The death toll in the province has risen to 3,663 as seven more deaths were reported.

For more info, please go to https://globalnews.ca/news/6974478/retailers-ask-ontario-government-lift-coronavirus-restrictions/

Subscribe to Global News Channel HERE: http://bit.ly/20fcXDc
Like Global News on Facebook HERE: http://bit.ly/255GMJQ
Follow Global News on Twitter HERE: http://bit.ly/1Toz8mt
Follow Global News on Instagram HERE: https://bit.ly/2QZaZIB
#coronavirus #COVID19 #Ontario #GlobalNews