COVID-19 Timeline
COVID-19

First cases
Wuhan, China reports a number of cases of pneumonia, which turn out to be identified as a novel coronavirus.
WHO issues technical guidance
The World Health Organization issues technical guidance on how to detect, test and manage potential cases.
China publicly shares the genetic sequence of COVID-19.
BREAKING: WHO has received the genetic sequences for the novel #coronavirus (2019-nCoV) from the Chinese authorities. We expect them to be made publicly available as soon as possible. pic.twitter.com/h1w7A0jBm2
— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) January 11, 2020
First recorded case outside of China
Thailand officials confirm a case of COVID-19, the first recorded case outside of China.
First COVID-positive patient in Ontario
ONA participates in a call with Minister of Health Christine Elliott and Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. David Williams to advise key stakeholders that the first COVID-positive patient was in hospital at Sunnybrook.
First presumptive case of the novel coronavirus in Canada
A Toronto man who returned from Wuhan becomes the first presumptive case of the novel coronavirus in Canada. He is placed in isolation in Toronto’s Sunnybrook Hospital.
The first case of COVID-19 in Canada was confirmed on Jan. 25, 2020, after a man travelling from Wuhan, China, tested positive for the coronavirus. Travellers from other countries have also tested positive.https://t.co/dfpdKfmhRP
— CTV News Northern Ontario (@CTVNewsNorthern) March 15, 2020
ONA creates a COVID-19 website page
ONA creates a COVID-19 website page that includes government updates, and health and safety precautions.
ONA holds a Telephone Town Hall
ONA holds a Telephone Town Hall to answer members’ questions regarding the 2019 novel coronavirus.
ONA and CUPE meet with Health Minister and Chief Medical Officer of Health
ONA and CUPE meet with the Health Minister and Chief Medical Officer of Health about COVID-19 transmission and protecting health-care workers.
Canada’s first community contracted case
In British Columbia, Canada’s first-ever case is contracted within the community rather than through travel or contact with other cases.
Canada’s first COVID-19 death
Canada records its first death from COVID-19, a man in his 80s died at a North Vancouver nursing home.
ONA learns that the government is taking the position that the virus is spread via droplets and not airborne
Ontario government Labour Table meets with ONA President Vicki McKenna. ONA learns that the government is taking the position that the virus is spread via droplets and is not airborne. Airborne precautions (including N95s) are only required during aerosol generating medical procedures (AGMPs).
This change in direction deeply concerns ONA as it is not consistent with the precautionary principle as described by Justice Campbell in the SARS Commission report.
WHO declares COVID-19 to be a pandemic
? BREAKING ? “We have therefore made the assessment that #COVID19 can be characterized as a pandemic”-@DrTedros #coronavirus pic.twitter.com/JqdsM2051A
— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) March 11, 2020
Call for honest collaboration with the government
ONA, OCHU, CUPE, OPSEU and SEIU call for honest collaboration with the government regarding guidelines for COVID-19 protection for health-care workers and their patients.
CMOH releases Directive #1
The Chief Medical Officer of Health (CMOH) releases Directive #1. If the CMOH thinks that there exists or there may exist an immediate risk to the health of persons anywhere in Ontario, he or she may issue a directive to respecting precautions to be followed to protect the health of persons in Ontario.
Ontario declares a state of emergency
BREAKING: Ontario declares a state of emergency as a result of the #COVID19 pandemic https://t.co/4v4gCLt5Nk
— CTV Windsor (@CTVWindsor) March 17, 2020
Directive #2 issued
Directive #2 is issued, cancelling all non-essential and elective surgeries.
Government order on work redeployment
Government order on work redeployment. This order applies only to hospitals and not to long-term care. ONA was notified by the Ministry of Health that the order was coming but there was no further consultation.
CMOH issues Directive #3 applicable to long-term care
The Chief Medical Officer of Health (CMOH) issues Directive #3 applicable to long-term care. Residents were not permitted to leave the home for short-stay absences.
N95s negotiation
The Ministry of Health and Ministry of Labour contact ONA to negotiate an agreement regarding the usage of N95s and other appropriate PPE.
ONA negotiates with government regarding principles for PPE and protecting health-care workers
ONA negotiates with government regarding principles for PPE and protecting health-care workers. At the end of negotiations, ONA learns it is for hospitals and RNs only.
The Ministry of Health issues “COVID-19 Outbreak Guidance for Long-Term Care Homes”
The Ministry of Health issues “COVID-19 Outbreak Guidance for Long-Term Care Homes.”
Death toll reaches 100 in Canada
Coronavirus: Canada’s COVID-19 death toll surpasses 100 https://t.co/LVjtby3tzQ pic.twitter.com/b7RH3j17yy
— Globalnews.ca (@globalnews) March 31, 2020
The CMOH revises Directive #3
The Chief Medical Officer of Health (CMOH) revises Directive #3 noting that all staff and visitors are to wear surgical masks, whether the home is in outbreak or not.
ONA issues a media release about Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit offering early retirement packages in the middle of a pandemic
ONA outraged as Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit cuts nurses during COVID-19 pandemic, says it’s “utterly foolish.”https://t.co/wYLXzlXPhy pic.twitter.com/8x1p7RgfyZ
— Ontario Nurses’ Association (@ontarionurses) April 8, 2020
The CMOH revises Directive #5
The Chief Medical Officer of Health (CMOH) revises Directive #5 to include all health-care workers and covers long-term care homes and retirement homes. N95s were mandated where an aerosol generating medical procedure was anticipated or required.
Canada surpasses 1,000 deaths
BREAKING: More than 1,000 deaths in Canada have been linked to the COVID-19 outbreak, according to a CBC News tally. https://t.co/0NATLfqvQr
— CBC News (@CBCNews) April 15, 2020
Emergency Order “Limiting Work to a Single Retirement Home” is issued
Emergency order Limiting Work to a Single Retirement Home is issued. ONA was advised that the Ministry of Long-Term Care could not bar agency staff from working in multiple homes because the homes were too reliant on agencies for their staffing needs.
ONA sought an order requiring the homes to comply with Directives 3 and 5
ONA files an application in the courts seeking an injunction and a court order on behalf of ONA members in four homes. ONA sought an order requiring the homes to comply with Directives 3 and 5.
ONA (@ontarionurses) is asking a Superior Court justice to order [a LTC home] to stop violating provincial health and safety law, public health directives, and its collective agreement with frontline staff. https://t.co/r0RNGVohgE
— Canada’s Nurses (@CFNU) April 21, 2020
Ontario and Quebec, the hardest-hit provinces, call on the military to help in their LTC homes
Ontario and Quebec ask Ottawa to send in the military to help battle COVID-19 https://t.co/6LkbZkZNlP
— Star Politics (@StarCdnPoli) April 23, 2020
Canada hits 50,000 cases
COVID-19: Canada passes 50,000 confirmed cases; Russia surging towards 100,000 https://t.co/fxdFUHwgNW pic.twitter.com/Ar9uq16lnP
— Ottawa Citizen (@OttawaCitizen) April 29, 2020
ONA and the Participating Nursing Homes proceed to arbitration before Arbitrator John Stout
ONA and the Participating Nursing Homes proceed to arbitration before Arbitrator John Stout. He issues an award that addresses PPE, infection control measures and resident and staff cohorting among other issues.
Canada completes its millionth COVID-19 test
COVID-19: Brazil one of world’s emerging coronavirus hot spots; Canada hits one million tests conducted https://t.co/W1jF1H8zaI pic.twitter.com/p28W6c3fzH
— Ottawa Citizen (@OttawaCitizen) May 8, 2020
The death toll in Canada passes 5,000
Canada now has experienced 5,080 deaths from COVID-19, and 69,905 people have tested positive for the novel coronavirus. The new numbers come from 85 new deaths in Quebec for a total of 3,013, and a CBC News evaluation of Ontario deaths, putting the provincial toll at 1,757.
— CBC News Alerts (@CBCAlerts) May 11, 2020
ONA learns of the death of an ONA member due to COVID-19. Brian Beattie, RN, worked at Kensington Village in London
The Ontario Nurses’ Association said Tuesday, Brian Beattie, a registered nurse at Kensington Village in London Ont. had passed away. #LdnOnt https://t.co/bD1geveYEi
— 980 CFPL London News (@AM980News) May 13, 2020
The Chief Medical Officer of Health revises Directive #3 to allow limited admissions to restart
COVID-19 Update: CMOH Updated Directive #3 – https://t.co/cGRQTSo8J0
— Family Councils ONT (@FamCouncils_ONT) May 22, 2020
ONA writes to Minister Fullerton
ONA writes to Minister Fullerton requesting an independent public inquiry into long-term care.
A new report from the military helping in five LTC facilities reveals extreme neglect and exposes the horrific conditions residents were facing
A report from Canada’s military detailed allegations of extreme neglect and abuse at five Ontario long-term-care homes. Here is a closer look at the companies behind the five facilities.https://t.co/nODuLYayXf
— Globalnews.ca (@globalnews) May 29, 2020
Canada officially records more than 100,000 cases of COVID-19
Number of COVID-19 cases in Canada surpasses 100,000 https://t.co/nbHYEeKRGB pic.twitter.com/KVuJWIfh4Y
— The Globe and Mail (@globeandmail) June 18, 2020
ONA President Vicki McKenna releases a video on ONA’s website talking about the impact the government’s Bills will have on members, and ONA’s actions to advocate against these bills.
ONA calls this day a dark day for the province’s registered nurses and health-care professionals as the Ford government passes Bills 195 and 197
The Ontario Nurses’ Association (ONA) is call today “a dark day for the province’s registered nurses and health-care professionals” as the Ford government has passed Bills 195 and 197 #ckont
MORE: https://t.co/uB4YsHY5hK pic.twitter.com/Z8Dl3wqQsM
— 99.1 FM CKXS (@CKXS) July 22, 2020
Update on Long-Term Care COVID-19 Commission
The government announces the terms of reference and the commissioners for Ontario’s Long-Term Care COVID-19 Commission.
Final report from the military released
Minor problems still in some Ontario long-term care homes, military report says https://t.co/1fHHorh2Tc pic.twitter.com/cu7LCZNvSh
— Ottawa Citizen (@OttawaCitizen) August 15, 2020
Canada takes a major step toward producing PPE, as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Ontario Premier Doug Ford announce an agreement with 3M
Watch: Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau praise each other on their COVID-19 collaboration, as they announce 3M’s plan to begin N95 respirator production in Brockville, Ont. pic.twitter.com/RhN4pKlYqk
— CBC Politics (@CBCPolitics) August 21, 2020
Lakeridge Health informs ONA that it is cutting 14 RNs from several of its units as it seeks to balance its budget
Lakeridge Health cutting registered nurses to balance budget: ONA https://t.co/bfP0EbitfY pic.twitter.com/YfxBZRcVDV
— Durham Radio News (@DurhamRadioNews) September 17, 2020
MOH informs ONA that it will not exclude social workers from working as care coordinators
After months of meetings and lobbying on behalf of social workers, the Ministry of Health (MOH) informs ONA that it will not exclude social workers from working as care coordinators under the new home care regulation.
Canada enters the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic
We’re at a crossroads, Canada. The second wave is underway in some provinces. And across the country, COVID-19 remains a serious health threat. I met with Dr. Tam, @PattyHajdu, and officials this morning to go over our plans to keep you safe – but we can’t do this without you. pic.twitter.com/lddhpTbnV5
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) September 24, 2020
ONA launches a province-wide advertising campaign on Thanksgiving Monday
ONA is launching a new campaign on Thanksgiving Monday, reminding Ontarians that front-line registered nurses, nurse practitioners, registered practical nurses and health-care professionals are ‘still fighting’ on the front lines of the pandemic https://t.co/9UaJwyKqIc pic.twitter.com/IVNaWi8qcr
— Ontario Nurses’ Association (@ontarionurses) October 9, 2020
Canada’s COVID-19 case count hits the 200,000 mark
The second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic pushed Canada past 200,000 cases, as tougher health restrictions took effect in regions facing a surge in infections.@VanessaLeeCTV and @JillMacyshonCTV have a cross-country round-up in tonight’s newscast.
More: https://t.co/taMiwEH7pu pic.twitter.com/HTGBUpn0gN
— CTV National News (@CTVNationalNews) October 20, 2020
ONA is pleased to learn of the government’s proposal to increase direct hours of care for residents in long-term care to four hours per day
Ontario is increasing the hours of direct care for each long-term care resident to an average of four hours per day. This commitment will make Ontario the leader among Canadian provinces in the provision of care for long-term care residents. #SupportingLTCON #Markham #Stouffville pic.twitter.com/2AQDkOFPXp
— Paul Calandra (@PaulCalandra) November 3, 2020
Canada’s COVID-19 case count exceeds 300,000
Canada surpasses 300,000 COVID cases, adding more than 100,000 in past month https://t.co/5FWCeuVVU3
— The Globe and Mail (@globeandmail) November 17, 2020
Federal health officials announce Canada has purchase agreements with seven COVID-19 vaccine producers
Canada reaches agreements for 194 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines https://t.co/f27FZMTGEW #COVIDCanada pic.twitter.com/H96MRibBwV
— Daily Hive Vancouver (@DailyHiveVan) November 26, 2020
Trudeau says most Canadians should receive the COVID-19 vaccine by September 2021
Prime Minister Trudeau says most Canadians should have a #COVID vaccine by September. The Ford government announced that doses will start coming in as early as January.
Here’s your 680 NEWS TO GO with @leahjohansen and @JournalistCG.
LISTEN LIVE: https://t.co/h9p45U4Tka pic.twitter.com/DVZpgzzOn8
— 680 NEWS Toronto (@680NEWS) November 28, 2020
Canada records more than 400,000 cases of COVID-19, just 18 days after it hits the 300,000 mark
BREAKING: Canada has now recorded more than 400,000 cases of COVID-19.
It took 18 days for Canada to rack up the latest 100,000 cases, marking the shortest growth period since the pandemic was first declared.https://t.co/mIpVp1gmdU
— CTV News (@CTVNews) December 4, 2020
The first doses of the Pfizer vaccine are administered to people in Quebec and Ontario
People in Ontario and Quebec are expected to receive COVID-19 vaccines later Monday after the first doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine arrived in Canada on Sunday. https://t.co/gFpqtfgDrX
— CBC News (@CBCNews) December 14, 2020
Ontario confirms Canada’s first known cases of the U.K. coronavirus variant involve a couple from the Durham Region
2 U.K. variant coronavirus cases have been identified in Ontario. Province says couple from Durham have no known travel history. Dr. Barbara Yaffe, Ontario’s Associate Chief Medical Officer of Health, says development ‘reinforces the need’ for Ontarians to stay home if possible.
— CBC News Alerts (@CBCAlerts) December 26, 2020
The Ontario government says it expects to vaccinate approximately 8.5 million people by the end of June 2021 against COVID-19
The Ontario government says it expects to vaccinate approximately 8.5 million people by the end of June against COVID-19.https://t.co/93dW2eAJkw
— Globalnews.ca (@globalnews) December 29, 2020
A health-care worker in Toronto becomes the first person in Ontario to receive a second dose of the Pfizer vaccine.
Today at UHN, healthcare workers from the Rekai Centres in Toronto, Anita Quidangen, Derek Thompson, Lucky Aguila, Cecile Lasco, and Colette Cameron, were the first in Ontario to receive the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. pic.twitter.com/PbrpuCXIvu
— University Health Network (@UHN) January 4, 2021
ONA is deeply disappointed in the news that several people in positions of authority in the province have left the country to vacation during the pandemic
.@ontarionurses is deeply disappointed in the news that several people in positions of authority in the province have left the country to vacation during the COVID-19 pandemic. #onpoli #COVID19Ontario More: https://t.co/vrRAfG3gdG
— Ontario Nurses’ Association (@ontarionurses) January 6, 2021
The COVID-19-related death toll in Ontario surpasses 5,000
#BREAKING: Ontario’s COVID-19 death toll surpasses 5,000, province sets new record for hospitalizationshttps://t.co/iG9Hy5M59u
— CP24 (@CP24) January 11, 2021
ONA is outraged at the provincial government’s denial to exempt the front-line RNs, NPs and health-care professionals from its wage-suppression legislation, Bill 124
Outraged at the provincial government’s denial to exempt the front-line RNs, NPs & health-care professionals from its wage-suppression legislation, #Bill124, ONA is filing thousands of pages of evidence from front-line registered nurses to @OntarioOn
More: https://t.co/NuSKRWxLSy pic.twitter.com/YWeWpfjzLd— Ontario Nurses’ Association (@ontarionurses) January 15, 2021
The one-year anniversary of the first case in Ontario – provincial case count sits at 256,960
On the one-year anniversary of COVID-19 being identified in Canada, nurses and teachers are calling on @fordnation
to do more in Ontario. https://t.co/K4cSLCVe9Q— Yahoo Canada News (@YahooCanadaNews) January 25, 2021
ONA writes an open letter to Premier Doug Ford requesting that Ontario’s directives be revised to recognize precautions for airborne transmission
@ontarionurses sends open letter to @fordnation to urge Ontario to mandate precautions for ‘airborne transmission’ to protect nurses and healthcare professionals: https://t.co/44HP6AZGfR pic.twitter.com/j9TZjDu6Eo
— Caryn Lieberman (@caryn_lieberman) January 25, 2021
The COVID-19-related death toll across the province surpasses the 6,000 mark
Another grim milestone has been reached in Ontario as the number of COVID-19 deaths in the province has surpassed 6,000. https://t.co/Tv1H3wAskV
— Toronto Star (@TorontoStar) January 28, 2021
Brazilian COVID-19 variant found in Toronto
Toronto Public Health officials say a case of the Brazilian COVID-19 variant, which is believed to be more transmissible than other strains of the novel coronavirus, has been found in the city.https://t.co/OWvoNEs0uH
— Global National (@GlobalNational) February 7, 2021
The first round of COVID-19 vaccinations is completed in all Ontario long-term care homes
Allegedly.
⤵️
“First Round of COVID-19 Vaccinations Completed in All Ontario Long-Term Care Homes | Ontario Newsroom” https://t.co/Ky05Ma9qgK— Dr. Vivian Stamatopoulos (@DrVivianS) February 11, 2021
Ford government announces the province’s first known case of the South African coronavirus variant in Mississauga
5 cases of variant first found in South Africa confirmed at Mississauga, Ont., condo, on-site testing ordered https://t.co/yRayt8OHnV pic.twitter.com/zgA8ia9dnT
— CBC Canadian News (@CBCCanada) February 15, 2021
ONA files an urgent judicial review application to seek changes to directives to recognize and protect against the grave risks to health-care workers from COVID-19 – including aerosol and asymptomatic transmission.
Ontario Nurses’ Association Files Judicial Review, Seeks Urgent Changes to Protect Nurses From Coronavirus #kawartha411 https://t.co/vQu3MI7PXW via @kawartha411
— Kawartha 411 (@Kawartha411) February 25, 2021
Canada approves the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine, making it the third shot officially authorized in the country
Health Canada approves AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine. Canada has pre-ordered 20 million doses of the vaccine, which was co-developed by researchers at the University of Oxford. @botelhok reports. #COVID19 #vaccine #Canda
WATCH: https://t.co/ypzyEm3tQp pic.twitter.com/Csp44CPl2M
— CHCH News (@CHCHNews) February 27, 2021
ONA launches a province-wide advertising campaign featuring its own members – urging Ontarians to take comfort in knowing that registered nurses and health-care professionals continue to be there, holding the line as the COVID-19 pandemic continues
They say respect has to be earned.
When nurses are called upon…we answer the call.
When patients need our care…we’re there for them.
When every day brings increasing risk…we hold the line.—
View our new campaign: https://t.co/WVvpjgJ14T#NursesKnow #HoldingTheLine pic.twitter.com/ZNXjfTuRqX— Ontario Nurses’ Association (@ontarionurses) March 1, 2021
The COVID-19-related death toll across the province surpasses the 7,000 mark
COVID-19 deaths in Ontario surpass 7,000, fewer than 1,000 new cases added https://t.co/skI1uBu2bM
— CTV News (@CTVNews) March 3, 2021
The Ontario government says it is aiming to have all eligible residents who wish to get a COVID-19 vaccine to have their first dose completed by June 20
Ontario aims for COVID-19 vaccinations by June 20 for ‘every eligible person who wants it’ https://t.co/Uq2rl3IQUl via @ptboexaminer
— PeterboroughExaminer (@PtboExaminer) March 5, 2021
Ontario announces that 325 pharmacies in Toronto, Windsor-Essex, Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington will begin providing COVID-19 vaccinations using the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine
#BREAKING: The Ontario government has released a list of more than 325 pharmacies that will be administering Oxford-AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine to those aged 60 to 64 in Toronto, Kingston and Windsor-Essex.https://t.co/2ThpdH5u2o
— Global News Toronto (@globalnewsto) March 10, 2021
More than a million COVID-19 vaccines administered
Health Minister Christine Elliot announces that more than a million COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in the province.
The Ontario government activates an “emergency brake” for four weeks across the entire province
#COVID latest – Ontario to enter four-week, provincewide COVID-19 shutdown on Saturday.
Here’s what we know: https://t.co/4u87QvtL2b
— Megan Shaw (@meganshawCTV) April 1, 2021
The Ford government declares the province’s third state of emergency amid the COVID-19 pandemic and is issuing a provincewide stay-at-home order that will last for a minimum of four weeks
Effective Thursday, April 8, Ontario is issuing a province-wide Stay-at-Home order.
This order will help keep people safe, allow our vaccination program to reach more people & reduce burden on our hospitals.
We will do whatever it takes to keep Ontarians safe and schools open.
— Stephen Lecce (@Sflecce) April 7, 2021
The Ontario government advises ONA that it is enacting a new emergency order under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act (EMCPA)
The Ontario government advises ONA that it is enacting a new emergency order under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act (EMCPA) to permit Ontario Health and the Home & Care Community Support Services (HCCSS), to redeploy staff to hospitals to address capacity and staffing pressures during the third wave of COVID-19.
Ontario reports 4,456 coronavirus cases, setting the record for a number of new cases in a 24-hour period
BREAKING: Ontario sees a daily record of 4,456 new COVID-19 cases and 21 more deaths pic.twitter.com/Kh3h07RacJ
— CBC News Alerts (@CBCAlerts) April 11, 2021
The province announces that another 700 pharmacies are joining the COVID-19 vaccine rollout
The Ontario government says it will rapidly increase capacity in its COVID-19 vaccine rollout, adding 700 pharmacies across the province.https://t.co/f4d90YE5mB
— Toronto Star (@TorontoStar) April 11, 2021
ONA holds a telephone town hall meeting
ONA holds a telephone town hall meeting and Facebook live event to cover the latest developments on redeployment, COVID-19 stay-at-home orders, vaccine rollouts, implications of the third wave, changes to Directives, PPE and an update on ONA’s judicial review application.
The Long-Term Care COVID Commission releases its final report
The Honourable Frank N. Marrocco, Angela Coke, and Dr. Jack Kitts, Commissioners of Ontario’s Long-Term Care COVID-19 Commission, submitted their Final Report to the Minister of Long-Term Care on April 30, 2021.