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Coronavirus: Latest developments in the Greater Toronto Area on April 19

A Toronto Transit Commission bus driver wears a mask and gloves as he drives a bus in Toronto on Tuesday, April 14, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn

Here is a roundup of the latest developments on the novel coronavirus pandemic in the Greater Toronto Area for Sunday:

Ontario reports 568 new cases, 39 deaths

Ontario reported 568 new cases of the novel coronavirus Sunday morning, bringing the total number of cases in the province to 10,578.

Thirty-nine new deaths were reported, bringing the death toll in the province to 553.

Sunday’s report marks the largest increase in cases since the outbreak began, ahead of Friday’s increase of 564.

On Saturday, officials said that the data may have been incomplete due to reporting issues with Toronto Public Health.

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Global News reached out to the Ministry of Health to find out if that affected the newly-reported case numbers.

A spokesperson for the ministry confirmed that “a small number of cases” that should have been in Saturday’s report have been reflected in Sunday’s update.

Over 5,200 cases are considered resolved, or about 49 per cent.

Status of cases in Toronto

As of Sunday afternoon, there were 3,546 COVID-19 cases in Toronto, 3,212 of which are confirmed and 334 probable.

Over 240 people are hospitalized with COVID-19, with 95 in intensive care.

A total of 173 people have died of the novel coronavirus in the city.

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Toronto police to salute health-care workers

The Toronto Police Service says officers will line up their vehicles in front of hospitals in the city Sunday evening and turn on their sires in salute of health-care workers.

It’s scheduled to happen at 7:45 p.m. in partnership with front-line first responders.

Employee at Longo’s Leaside in East York tests positive for COVID-19

Longo’s Leaside on Laird Drive in East York has confirmed one of their team members has tested positive for COVID-19 on Sunday, with their last shift at the store being the same day – April 19th.

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“We want to assure you that our stores and Team Members have been operating under heightened preventative measures and in accordance with direction from public health to protect against the spread of COVID-19,” the company said in a statement.

“We are executing additional deep cleaning in-store, above and beyond our already elevated sanitation and cleaning protocols.”

They added that anyone who had close personal contact with the infected individual has been asked to stay home and self monitor — and will be paid in full during this time.

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6 residents dead at Woodbridge senior’s home

Global News has confirmed six residents of Villa Leonardo Gambin Care Community home in Woodbridge have died from COVID-19.

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Andrew Iacobelli, the chair of the long-term care facility’s board of directors, informed families of the latest death Sunday, saying: “Sadly, another VLG resident has succumbed to COVID-19. The board, staff and entire VLG community mourn the loss, and extend our deepest condolences to the family.”

Thirty-two residents at the facility have tested positive for the virus, along with 13 staff, according to the e-mail. The home says they are currently in the process of testing residents.

Death toll reaches 13 at Village of Humber Heights

Schlegel Villages, which manages The Village of Humber Heights in Etobicoke, say there have now been a total of 13 COVID-19-related deaths at the facility.

Twelve have died in the retirement residence and one person from long-term care passed away on Saturday.

More than 500 people live at the home.

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Death toll reaches 10 at Village of Erin Meadows

Schlegel Villages say there have now been a total of 10 COVID-19-related deaths at the Village of Erin Meadows in Mississauga in long-term care residences.

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That facility houses more than 450 people between retirement and long-term care.

One coronavirus-related death has also been reported at the Erin Mills Lodge.

8 dead at Georgetown retirement home

Eight residents have died amid a coronavirus outbreak at a retirement home in Georgetown, Ont., local health officials say.

Halton Region Public Health said an outbreak was declared at Mountainview Residence on March 31, with 63 residents and 18 staff members having tested positive for COVID-19 since.

Union demands mass testing at TTC facility

The union representing TTC employees is calling for mass testing after employees at the Queensway Garage facility tested positive for COVID-19.

The Amalgamated Transit Union Local 113 said four workers tested positive, and four others have symptoms.

“We need serious and decisive action to stop this outbreak from becoming a lethal cluster and spreading any further,” ATU Local 113 president Carlos Santos said in a statement.

“That means getting Toronto Public Health to Queensway immediately to start mass testing.”

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Among a series of demands, Santos said, “All workers on all shifts need to self-isolate with 100 per cent pay for 14-days or until they test negative.”

In a statement Saturday evening, the TTC said they were aware of a work refusal underway by eight employees and added that there was a deep clean of the maintenance area of the facility.

The statement said a group of employees who were on the same shift were told to self-isolate.

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Resident dies at Peel Region care facility

A resident at the Peel Manor Long Term Care Centre has died as a result of complications related to COVID-19.

Nando Iannicca, the Chair of the Peel Regional Council, confirmed the death in a statement Saturday evening.

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“I’d like to express my sincere condolences to those who knew the individual, including friends, family and staff at the centre,” Iannicca said.

“Protecting our most vulnerable, including those who live in our long-term care homes, is our foremost responsibility.”

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