Here is a roundup of the latest developments on the novel coronavirus pandemic in the Greater Toronto Area for Sunday:
Ontario reports 401 new cases, 21 deaths
Ontario reported 401 new confirmed cases Sunday morning and 21 deaths, bringing the total number of cases in the province to 7,049.
The death toll has risen to 274.
The number of resolved cases in the province sits at 3,121, or about 44 per cent of all cases.
The number of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 is 738 — a single-day increase of 65 — with 261 in intensive care and 196 on a ventilator.
The number of reported cases has declined over the past several days, since Thursday’s high of 550.
Officials said 53.5 per cent of cases are in the Greater Toronto Area.
Over 2,200 cases in Toronto as officials report more physical distancing
Toronto Public Health reported that there are a total of 2,225 cases of COVID-19 in the city, 1,956 of which are confirmed and 269 probable.
There are 208 people in hospital with the virus, 85 in intensive case.
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Officials didn’t provide an update on the number of deaths in the city, but as of Saturday there were 79.
Meanwhile, officials said they have seen an improvement in people following physical distancing rules amid an enforcement blitz over Easter weekend, but still handed out dozens of tickets.
On Saturday, bylaw and Toronto police officers said they would be following a “zero tolerance” policy towards enforcing physical distancing; bylaw officers issued 48 tickets.
5 tickets issued in Mississauga
Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie said five tickets were issued on Saturday to people who failed to comply with COVID-19-related orders.
Crombie said two people were playing tennis, one was using a swing set, and two drove into a closed park.
Easter celebrated as distancing continues
Easter was marked remotely by many in the Greater Toronto Area on Sunday as churches remained closed due to the pandemic.
Many churches, including St. Michael’s Cathedral in Toronto, livestreamed services as people celebrated from home.
7 dead, 37 cases at Villages of Humber Heights retirement home
A total of seven people have died amid a coronavirus outbreak at an Etobicoke retirement home, officials have confirmed.
The Village of Humber Heights retirement home, located near Scarlett Road and Lawrence Avenue, has 37 confirmed cases of COVID-19, 23 among residents and 14 staff.
“Today at the Village of Humber Heights we are again reminded of just how dangerous COVID-19 is for our vulnerable population. We have now lost seven residents to this horrible virus in the retirement home portion of our Villages,” Pauline Dell’Oso, general manager of The Village of Humber Heights, told Global News in a statement Sunday evening.
“We are devastated and our hearts are with these families and their fellow resident friends. We are continuing to do everything we can to fight this virus and protect our community.”
Schlegel Villages, which manages the home, said there have also been three COVID-19-related deaths at their Erin Meadows long-term care location.
7 dead, 23 cases of COVID-19 at North York long-term care home
Seven residents of a North York long-term care home have died after contracting coronavirus, officials confirmed Sunday.
There are 23 confirmed cases of COVID-19 at the Chartwell Gibson Long Term Care Residence, located near Leslie Street and Steeles Avenue East.
“Our sympathies are extended to the family and loved ones of these individuals,” a spokesperson for Chartwell said in an email to Global News.
Update on COVID-19 cases at Participation House in Markham
There are now 12 residents and six staff members that have been diagnosed with COVID-19, according to a statement issued Sunday evening.
A statement updating the community was issued Sunday evening on behalf of the executive director of Participation House.
The new figures mark an increase in previously reported statistics. On Friday, the organization said 10 residents and two staff members were diagnosed at that time.
Most of the staff walked off the job on Thursday over concerns about a COVID-19 outbreak in the facility.
READ MORE: Markham care home taking applications amid staffing shortage, COVID-19 outbreak
On Sunday, Shelley Brillinger said efforts are underway to address staffing shortages and conversations with the workers’ union, Markham Stouffville Hospital and the Ontario government. She wrote that there were as few as six people to look after the home’s 42 residents.
“Staffing levels remain critically low and are unsustainable. Without an outbreak, the current levels would be insufficient to provide a reasonable level of care for all residents,” Brillinger wrote, praising the efforts of the “dedicated” staff who have been working in recent days.
“The need for support only increases when residents are restricted to their room in a quarantine situation and of course, those who are infected require a still higher level of care which we do not have enough people to provide.
“Participation House continues to put the safety and well-being of staff and residents as the highest priority and is hopeful that a solution can be found in the very near future to ensure the very best outcome for all.”
BACKGROUND: Coronavirus outbreak at Markham home for adults with disabilities causes staff to walk off job
Toronto refugee shelter reports outbreak
A shelter for refugees in downtown Toronto is reporting four cases of COVID-19 and is currently awaiting multiple other test results.
Homes First Society said it was first notified about the cases at Willowdale Welcome Centre on Thursday. Over 200 people are housed at the location.
Outbreak confirmed at Hellenic Home in Scarborough
Three cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed at Hellenic Home, a long-term care facility in Scarborough.
All three cases involve residents of the home.
“We have advised the families of the outbreak and we are in constant communication with Toronto Public Health and the Ministry of Long Term Care,” a statement from the facility said late Saturday.
“Hellenic has implemented its pandemic plan and is following direction from Public Health to contain the virus and protect our residents and our staff.”
2 dead at Pickering long-term care home
Two residents at Orchard Villa long-term care home in Pickering have died after contracting COVID-19, officials at the facility confirmed to Global News Saturday evening.
At least four residents have tested positive at the home.
Death toll Markham long-term care home reaches 8
Another resident with COVID-19 has died at Markhaven Home for Seniors in Markham, raising the death toll to eight at the facility.
Officials said in a statement Saturday evening that the woman passed away on April 8, and was confirmed to have had the virus on April 9.
— With files from The Canadian Press
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