Here is a roundup of the latest developments on the coronavirus pandemic in the Greater Toronto Area for Thursday:
634 new coronavirus cases in Ontario, total rises to 12,879 with 713 deaths
Ontario reported 634 new cases of the novel coronavirus on Thursday and 54 additional deaths, bringing the provincial total to 12,879 cases.
The reported death toll has risen to 713.
Meanwhile, 6,680 people have recovered from COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus, which is 51.9 per cent of cases.
Thursday’s report marks the highest single-day increase in positive cases. Tuesday saw 622 new cases.
Greater Toronto Area public health units account for 59.6 per cent of all cases in the province.
Status of COVID-19 cases in Toronto
Dr. Eileen de Villa, Toronto’s medical officer of health, said as of Thursday afternoon, there were 3,933 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 414 probable cases.
Of the confirmed and probable cases, she said 106 of the 293 hospitalized Toronto residents were in ICU beds.
To date, 222 Toronto residents have died from COVID-19.
9 more dead at Pickering nursing home, staff say
April Beckett, acting executive director of Orchard Villa, told Global News in a statement on Thursday that 40 residents have died of COVID-19.
Thursday’s announcement marks nine more deaths since the cumulative total of 31 that was confirmed by the facility earlier in the week.
In total, Beckett said there are 104 resident COVID-19 cases and 54 staff cases.
She said there have been requests for help to deal with the outbreak. Recently, Beckett said the Ontario government committed to sending additional supports.
According to Durham Region Public Health statistics released on Thursday, there were only 32 confirmed deaths at the facility.
BACKGROUND: Pickering nursing home reports 31 residents have died of COVID-19
Patient dies at Toronto’s Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
The CEO of the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) says a 74-year-old patient has died of COVID-19.
Dr. Catherine Zahn said on Thursday the patient tested positive for coronavirus on April 12 after beginning to experiencing symptoms.
“The patient was receiving mental health care on a geriatric unit that was on full precautions for an outbreak,” she wrote, adding the patient had underlying health conditions.
Zahn said the family requested that the patient stay at the facility for palliative care.
As of Thursday, hospital officials said 19 patients and 24 staff members tested positive for coronavirus.
Markham Estée Lauder employee dies of COVID-19
An employee working at an Estée Lauder manufacturing facility in Markham has died from the novel coronavirus, the company says.
The woman worked at the cosmetic company’s facility located near Warden Avenue and Alden Road.
“We are deeply saddened that an employee working at our manufacturing facility recently passed away due to complications from COVID-19,” Estée Lauder said in a statement.
READ MORE: Estée Lauder employee in Markham, Ont., dies of COVID-19
3rd resident dies at Participation House Markham: executive director
The executive director of Participation House Markham says a third resident at the facility has died of COVID-19.
“Out of respect for the family’s wishes the name and details are being withheld. Our condolences go out to the family, friends, volunteers and staff who are feeling this loss most acutely,” Shelley Brillinger said in a statement on Thursday.
She said 40 of the facility’s 42 residents have tested positive for coronavirus. The other two residents are waiting for testing results.
Brillinger also said 31 staff members at the Butternut Lane location and a staff member at the Farintosh home have tested positive for coronavirus.
BACKGROUND: Retired homicide detective, son volunteer at Markham home for disabled adults
Increase in deaths at Toronto’s Seven Oaks Long-term Care Home
City of Toronto officials say as of Thursday, 32 residents at the Seven Oaks Long-term Care home have died of COVID-19.
They also announced 108 residents in total have tested positive for coronavirus.
TTC lays off up to 1,200 employees as it grapples with COVID-19
The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) announced Thursday it will be laying off almost 1,200 employees in an attempt to cost-save amidst the coronavirus pandemic.
TTC CEO Rick Leary said in a statement that the decision was not an easy one to make.
“We will take care of the impacted employees as best we can during this difficult time and I look forward to everyone returning to the TTC once ridership has returned to pre-COVID-19 levels,” he said.
TTC’s Queensway Garage, McCowan yard now have six positive cases of COVID-19
The Toronto Transit Commission says a total of five employees at the Queensway Garage have tested positive for the virus. The union representing a majority of TTC employees said a carhouse worker at McCowan yard also tested positive.
The TTC provides a COVID-19 case list of all infected employees within the transit system which now stands at 28.
At the bottom of the list is a service person and a coach technician, both from the Queensway Garage, who have recently tested positive. The other three include a bus maintenance garage coach technician, general body repair person painter, and a bus maintenance service person at the Etobicoke garage.
According to TTC spokesperson Stuart Green the maintenance staff will stay home until May 1. The garage will remain open with maintenance done by non-union staff for now and the facility will undergo a deep clean. There is no impact on bus operators or service.
The worker at McCowan yard was last at work on March 18, but wasn’t tested until April 20 due to “health complications,” according to the union.
Ontario’s emergency orders extended to May 6
The Ontario government has extended its coronavirus-related emergency orders until May 6.
Those orders, which were set to expire Thursday, include the closure of businesses deemed non-essential, outdoor park amenities, recreational areas, public places, bars and restaurants, limits on social gatherings, as well as limiting retirement and long-term care staff from working in more than one home.
“We are making steady progress in our battle against this deadly virus, but we are not out of the woods by a long shot,” Premier Doug Ford said in a statement.
Feds approve Ontario’s request for military help
The federal government has approved Ontario’s request for military assistance at long-term care homes amid the coronavirus pandemic, the country’s public safety minister has announced.
“Long-term care is a unique vulnerability in this pandemic,” Bill Blair said in a tweet.
“We will continue working together as team Canada to defeat #COVID19.”
Ontario announces new measures for group homes, shelters
Ontario has announced new screening measures and staffing resources that will be provided to group homes and shelters across the province to help them deal with COVID-19.
Social Services Minister Todd Smith made the announcement Thursday, and said they will be implemented over the next 48 hours.
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