Prime Minister Justin Trudeau used his daily address Friday to announce that wage subsidies for qualifying small business have been increased to 75 per cent.
The subsidy will be retroactive to March 15.
Late Thursday night, the federal government announced it's closing all Service Canada offices and in-person services due to COVID-19 concerns.
The Bank of Canada announced Friday that it's cutting its interest rate target to 0.25 per cent due to the impact of COVID-19 on the Canadian economy.
In local news, Algoma Public Health released its latest COVID-19 test numbers Friday morning:
- 245 tested
- 1 positive
- 113 negative
- 131 pending
In education news locally, Algoma University says it will have its upcoming spring and summer sessions - but it will deliver its instruction online.
Meanwhile, nursing students at Sault College are getting some hands-on experience at Sault Area Hospital. The hospital has also received medical supplies from the college normally used for its post-secondary nursing program - including N95 masks.
The Great Lakes Forestry Centre is also pitching in during the COVID-19 crisis, producing 350 litres of hand sanitizer for Sault Area Hospital and Group Health Centre - at no cost.
Sault Ste. Marie Police Service has charged two men after the pair allegedly broke into a Dennis Street business and stole alcohol on three different occasions. The arrests are just one day removed from city police offering safety tips in relation to crime to businesses and property during the ongoing pandemic.
And if you're yearning for an adult beverage in the midst of an ongoing pandemic, Northern Superior Brewing Co. and Outspoken Brewing are eager to deliver you beer.
In provincial news, Ontario released its latest COVID-19 test numbers Friday morning, revealing another 135 more positive cases of COVID-19 - which include three new deaths related to the virus:
- 29,967 negative
- 10,074 currently under investigation
- 967 confirmed positive
- 8 resolved
- 18 deceased
41,032 patients approved for COVID-19 testing to date in Ontario. A total of 993 people in the province have been infected by the coronavirus as of Friday morning.
There are currently 72 COVID-19 assessment centres in Ontario.
