In this morning’s Cabinet Committee update, Canada’s top doctor confirmed as of today, 65,399 cases of COVID-19 have been identified nation-wide.  Dr. Theresa Tam says a total of 1.032-million Canadians have been tested since March with last week seeing an average 26,000  tests done each day.

She also went into detail on how Health Canada knows whether current testing efforts are enough. Tam says the World Health Organization placed an international benchmark for positive test results at 10-percent or below.  She says as long as Canada’s rate remains around four-percent as it is now, Canadians can rest assured no new cases are being missed.

Tam defines Health Canada’s testing strategy as one that strikes a delicate balance between casting a wide net across the nation and targeting specific cluster-related areas.

Meanwhile the Minister of Canadian Heritage gave full details behind the government’s April announcement of a $500-million Emergency Support Fund for Cultural, Heritage and Sport Organizations.

Steven Guilbeault says $198.3-million will be provided to the beneficiaries of arts and culture funding via existing programs as well as other organizations with demonstrated needs. He adds $72-million will be provided to the sport sector and $53-million to the heritage sector through the emergency component of the Museums Assistance Program.

Guilbeault says another $55-million will be distributed by the Canada Council for the Arts. And $3.5-million will be provided for COVID-related projects under the Digital Citizen Initiative. Finally, $115.8-million will be allocated by the Canada Media Fund and Telefilm Canada to support the Canadian audiovisual sector.

Guilbeault says any remaining funds will be assessed and used based on needs.