Coronavirus: Latest developments in the Greater Toronto Area on April 27

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

424 new coronavirus cases in Ontario, total reaches 14,856 with 892 deaths

Ontario reported 424 new cases of the novel coronavirus on Monday and 57 additional deaths, bringing the provincial total to 14,856 cases.

The reported death toll has risen to 892.

Meanwhile, 8,525 people have recovered from COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus, which is 57.4 per cent of cases.

Monday’s report marks a 2.9 per cent increase in cases compared to the day prior. It also marks the highest single-day increase for deaths in Ontario.

Greater Toronto Area public health units account for 59.5 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 Monday afternoon, there were 4,493 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 480 probable cases.

Of the confirmed and probable cases, she said 104 of the 308 hospitalized Toronto residents were in ICU beds.

To date, 297 Toronto residents have died from COVID-19.

1:45 Toronto blocking off curb lanes in some hot spots to allow physical distancing

• Toronto blocking off curb lanes in some hot spots to allow physical distancing
• Coronavirus: Concern for safety inside assisted living centre
• Coronavirus: Mixed reaction to Ontario’s reopening framework
• Coronavirus: Framework to reopen Ontario economy announced with no timeline
• ResQ supporting restaurants and essential workers

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2nd patient dies at Centre for Addiction and Mental Health

A 53-year-old patient at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) has died of COVID-19, according to a statement issued by hospital staff.

The statement said the patient, who was in the forensic unit, tested positive for coronavirus on March 30 after beginning to experiencing symptoms.

They were later transferred to a University Health Network hospital.

As of Monday, hospital officials said 19 patients and 24 staff members tested positive for coronavirus to date.

2 more residents at north-end Toronto nursing home die of COVID-19, executive director says

Gale Coburn, executive director of Hawthorne Place Care Centre, told Global News in a statement Monday evening that 15 residents have died of COVID-19.

According to TPH, there are 65 resident cases and 13 staff cases.

“Our team continues to be diligent in following all directives issued by the province including the isolation of residents to their rooms, screening all residents and staff twice daily, and carrying out enhanced cleaning measures,” Coburn wrote, adding administrators are working to ensure staff have access to personal protective equipment.

“I want to thank our agency partners and the Central LHIN for their help with staffing and the province for the support we expect to receive from the Canadian Armed Forces this week​.​ These resources will go a long way in supporting our team who are working hard to care for our residents.”

Ontario releases gradual reopening plan, though no dates provided

Ontario has released its plan to gradually reopen the province’s economy amid the coronavirus pandemic, though no dates have been provided.

The plan is laid out in a series of stages, which government officials have previously said are necessary to ensure a return to normal is made safely.

“Each stage will last for approximately two-to-four-week periods to allow for close monitoring of any impacts or potential resurgence of cases,” the plan reads.

After each period, the province’s medical officer may advise to reapply restrictions, maintain status quo, or progress to the next stage, the plan says.

Even after reopening has been completed, however, the final stage of the plan says there will be the “continued practice of physical distancing” and “significant mitigation plans” to limit health risks.

Concerts and sporting events will be restricted for the “foreseeable future.”

Toronto’s Porter Airlines extends flight suspension until June 29 due to COVID-19

Porter Airlines says it is extending its temporary suspension of all flights until June 29 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“While there are many promising signs about how COVID-19 is being contained, it is also clear that the current border restrictions, regional stay-at-home orders and limits on large gatherings will remain in place for many regions through much of May and into June,” the airline said in a statement on Monday.

The airline, which operates at Toronto’s Billy Bishop Airport downtown, first put a pause on flights on March 21 with an initial restart date of June 1 which they said they believed was a reasonable date to reopen at the time.

“Our return to flying will be done in a responsible manner, taking into account health and safety precautions.”

7 employees at Costco in Vaughan test positive for coronavirus

Vaughan Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua posted a press release on Twitter confirming that seven employees at a Costco near Weston Road and Highway 7 have tested positive for the novel coronavirus.

York Region Public Health said through their investigation, at least two of the employees contracted the virus through close contact.

“At this time, the risk to Costco shoppers at this location is considered low,” the release said.

“All residents are encouraged to stay home when possible, limit trips outside the home, practice good hand hygiene and maintain physical distancing of at least two metres when in public.”

Ontario’s patient ombudsman concerned about complaints from long-term care homes

Ontario’s patient ombudsman’s office says it is seeking whistleblower complaints from family members and staff at long-term care homes amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a release issued Monday, the office said the amount of complaints from both residents and workers from long-term care homes in Ontario signals a real crisis in the system.

Ontario health officials have stated previously that the province is currently fighting two different disease processes. One being the community spread of the virus, which seems to have peaked. The second being the virus spread in long-term care homes and other congregate settings, which seems to be continuing to increase.

Inpatient at Toronto’s SickKids hospital tests positive

Toronto’s SickKids hospital says a teenage inpatient recently tested positive for the coronavirus Saturday.