Good Morning, Ottawa. It is -3°C and sunny. Clouds are expected to increase through the day. The temperature will drop to -2°C tonight. Wind gusts of up to 15 km/h will become light and the temperature will drop overnight to -6°C. Environment Canada has details.
Ontario announces first COVID-19 death
According to the Ottawa Citizen, Ontario health officials confirmed Ontario’s first death of a patient with COVID-19. The man in his 70s died in hospital in Barrie. Ottawa’s medical officer of health, Dr. Vera Etches said all 13 cases in Ottawa are travel-related. One is in hospital.
Federal government to announce $25B aid package
To help Canadians and businesses through the COVID-19 crisis, the federal government will announce a $25 billion aid package today. The package will include employment insurance and other safety-net programs. CBC has more.
Canada, U.S. preparing border closure for non-essential travel
According to the CBC, in order to prevent more spread of COVID-19, Canada and the United States are finalizing an agreement to close their shared border to non-essential travel. CBC has more.
More closures
British Columbia has declared a public health emergency. The province’s chief medical officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry, confirmed 83 new cases of COVID-19. The public health emergency includes closures of all bars and many places where people gather. It also encourages social distancing in grocery stores and pharmacies. CBC has more.
Ottawa Senator first COVID-19 case in NHL
The Ottawa Senators confirm that the first NHL player to test positive for the coronavirus is a member of the club. The Senators released a statement saying the player has mild symptoms and is in isolation. His name has not been released. The Ottawa Citizen has more.
Paying it forward
An Ottawa man, Jordan Harding, decided to give out free hand sanitizer to people in need after meeting an elderly woman who was desperate to find some at her local store. CBC has more.