COVID-19 Response in Thorncliffe Park
In December, Toronto's Board of Health approved "TO Supports" – a targeted action plan that takes into account the disproportionate impact COVID-19 is having on neighbourhoods across Toronto. Under TO Supports, the City will be able to leverage its relationships with trusted, local organizations who have deep ties in our communities. Backed by guidance and resources from Toronto Public Health, these community-based organizations are leading our response to COVID-19 on-the-ground.
In response to the number of COVID-19 cases in Thorncliffe Park, the City is working closely with The Neighbourhood Organization (TNO) to implement a targeted strategy that will help to slow community spread. The strategy includes:
Opening COVID-19 testing centres at community and City facilities, and providing transportation to and from testing sites;
Translating COVID-19 information into multiple languages;
Conducting targeted outreach in apartment buildings and posting nearly 50 lawn signs with COVID-19 information throughout the neighbourhood;
Providing food support to more than 750 families and 250 seniors;
Improving contact tracing and providing wrap-around supports for those who test positive and are unable to work; and
Distributing thousands of face masks throughout the community.
To support these efforts, my office has facilitated a donation of 15,000 face masks from a corporate donor for distribution throughout Thorncliffe Park.
The City has also opened a pop-up testing centre at the Jenner Jean-Marie Community Centre (48 Thorncliffe Park Drive), where local residents of all ages can get tested for COVID-19. Additionally, TNO and East Toronto Health Partners are operating a pop-up testing facility at the TNO Youth Centre (45 Overlea Boulevard).
My team delivering masks and COVID-19 resource flyers in Thorncliffe Park.