Coronavirus: Latest developments in the Greater Toronto Area on April 20

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

606 new coronavirus cases in Ontario, total reaches 11,184 cases and 584 deaths

Ontario reported 606 new cases of the novel coronavirus on Monday and 31 additional deaths, bringing the provincial total to 11,184 cases.

The death toll has risen to 584.

Meanwhile, 5,515 people have recovered from COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus, which is 49.3 per cent of cases.

Monday’s report marks the highest single-day increase in cases, behind Sunday, which saw 568 new cases.

Greater Toronto Area public health units account for 58.3 per cent of all cases in the province.

Status of COVID-19 cases in Toronto, city in peak of pandemic

Dr. Eileen de Villa, Toronto’s medical officer of health, said as of Monday afternoon, there were 3,343 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 339 probable cases.

Of the confirmed and probable cases, she said 99 of the 262 hospitalized Toronto residents were in ICU beds.

To date, 181 Toronto residents have died from COVID-19.

De Villa said the city is currently in the peak of the coronavirus pandemic, adding there’s reason to have “cautious optimism.”

“Our data modelling shows us that we are currently in the peak period for our reported cases. The COVID-19 case doubling rate, which captures the number of days for our case counts to double, has slowed over the past two weeks,” she told reporters on Monday.

“This tells us pandemic activity is slowing down, and this is good news.”

She also noted that there haven’t been “dramatic surges” in hospitalizations, adding new instances of people being admitted to hospital has started to decrease.

“All of this information gathered together should be considered with cautious optimism,” she said.

“We are seeing our curve flattening because you are washing your hands, because you are staying home, and because you are keeping a safe distance from your friends, your families and other loved ones as difficult as I know this is.”

1:53 New COVID-19 modelling data released

• New COVID-19 modelling data released
• TTC reports two more staff cases of COVID-19
• Toronto’s Meighen Manor latest long-term care home to be hit by COVID-19
• Toronto officials call for provincial pandemic plan to address shelter needs
• Coronavirus: Family employee disqualified from assistance program
• Mississauga convenience store stays open to serve neighbourhood
• Coronavirus: Bringing seniors out of isolation and fostering connection through free online dance classes

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Elm Grove long-term care home reports 12 deaths related to COVID-19, 119 cases

Elm Grove Living Centre, near Dufferin and Queen streets, confirmed 12 virus-related deaths among its residents. They said they have 83 positive cases among residents and 36 positive cases among staff totaling 119 cases.

The long-term care home has 126 beds and 162 staff members.

“This is an extremely difficult and uncertain time for our community who we continue to be in frequent and open communication with throughout this period. We will remain focused on the well-being of our residents, their families and our hard-working staff,” Elm Grove Living Centre said in a statement.

“We will be transferring some residents who have tested positive for the virus so they can be treated in a hospital setting,” they said, adding that they have partnered with Sinai Health.

Salvation Army Meighen Health Centre reports 18 deaths and 88 cases of COVID-19 between residents and staff

The Salvation Army Meighen Health Centre, in partnership with Sunnybrook Hospital, tested several residents of the long-term care home on Sherbourne Street in downtown Toronto.

As of Monday, staff said 74 residents and 14 staff have tested positive for COVID-19 totaling 64 cases and 18 residents have died.

The centre said the infected residents are isolating in their rooms and the families of those impacted have been contacted.

“Our deepest sympathies, thoughts and prayers are with the family members who have lost their loved ones,” the centre said about the residents who have died from the virus.

“The Salvation Army continues to stand by and serve all our communities to the best of our ability during this difficult and unprecedented time. We are doing everything possible to protect the health, safety and well-being of all our residents and staff.”

3:03 Toronto’s Meighen Manor latest long-term care home to be hit by COVID-19

Scarborough nursing home increase in COVID-19 deaths, cases: memo

According to a memo distributed to family members and forwarded to Global News on Monday, seven more residents at Seven Oaks Long-term Care home in Scarborough have died due to COVID-19.

In total, the memo said there have been 108 resident cases of COVID-19 and 24 staff cases.

Toronto Public Health (TPH) said the outbreak at the home began on March 19.

As of Monday afternoon, TPH’s COVID-19 statistics had 97 confirmed resident cases — 22 of whom died and two were listed as being in hospital. The next TPH update is scheduled for Wednesday.

BACKGROUND: Families of Toronto nursing home residents feeling anxiety, grief and gratitude

34th resident at Etobicoke nursing home dies from COVID-19: facility staff

A 34th resident at Eatonville Care Centre in Etobicoke has died due to COVID-19, according to a statement from staff at the facility.

In total, the statement said there have been 138 resident cases of COVID-19.

Toronto Public Health (TPH) said the outbreak at the home began on March 29.

As of Monday afternoon, TPH’s COVID-19 statistics had 114 confirmed resident cases — 30 of whom died and three were listed as being in hospital. The next TPH update is scheduled for Wednesday.

2 TTC bus drivers at different garages test positive for COVID-19

ATU Local 113, the union representing a large majority of TTC employees, said two drivers at different garages have tested positive for COVID-19.

One driver works at the Malvern garage and the other driver works at the Arrow Road garage.

To date, there are 23 confirmed cases of COVID-19 among TTC staff.

The Works supervised injection site reopens

City of Toronto officials said The Works, a supervised injection site at the Toronto Public Health office on Victoria Street, has reopened.

The facility was closed due to concerns related to COVID-19.

Clients who used the service will be able to book appointments during the afternoons and early evenings Monday to Saturday and the late morning and afternoon of Sunday.

For more information, residents can call 416-392-0520.

Ontario’s coronavirus numbers may have peaked, new modelling suggests

Ontario health officials have revealed updated coronavirus modelling data that shows the province has already peaked in cases among community spread and numbers appear to be trending downwards towards a best-case scenario.

Adalsteinn (Steini) Brown, Dean of the Dalla Lana School of Public Health at the University of Toronto, revealed the modelling data at Queen’s Park on Monday, alongside Ontario’s associate chief medical officer of health Barbara Yaffe and  President and CEO of Ontario Health Matthew Anderson.

“Projections now show Ontario’s COVID-19 outbreak behaving more like best case,” the report highlighted.

However, Brown said that while community spread of COVID-19 has peaked, cases in long-term care homes, retirement homes and any other congregate settings appear to continue to grow.

This is the second time Ontario health officials have shown this type of projection data to the public.

Now the cumulative cases for the span of the entire outbreak is less than 20,000, “substantially lower” than 80,000 cases previously predicted for the end of April and 300,000 cases for the end of the pandemic.

Health officials said while earlier models predicted a peak in cases in May, public health interventions, including widespread adherence to physical distancing, have accelerated the peak to now.

“The sacrifices people are making to stay home and wash their hands are making a difference,” the report added.