Here is a roundup of the latest developments on the coronavirus pandemic in the Greater Toronto Area for Tuesday:
525 new coronavirus cases in Ontario, total surpasses 15,000 cases with 951 deaths
Ontario reported 525 new cases of the novel coronavirus on Tuesday and 59 additional deaths, bringing the provincial total to 15,381 cases.
The reported death toll has risen to 951.
Meanwhile, 8,964 people have recovered from COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus, which is 58.3 per cent of cases.
Tuesday’s report marks a 3.5 per cent increase in cases compared to the day prior (Monday’s report saw 424 new cases). It also marks the highest single-day increase in deaths so far.
Greater Toronto Area public health units account for 59.4 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 Tuesday afternoon, there were 4,647 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 481 probable cases.
Of the confirmed and probable cases, she said 109 of the 319 hospitalized Toronto residents were in ICU beds.
To date, de Villa said 305 Toronto residents have died of COVID-19.
More deaths confirmed at Markham’s Participation House
A spokesperson for Markham’s Participation House, a home for adults with disabilities confirmed two more deaths at the home on Tuesday.
“The families of both have given permission to confirm that these residents died in hospital but requested that no other personal details be released at this time.
The confirmation brings the total numbers of deaths from the Participation House location on Butternut Lane to six.
This brings the total number of deaths from Butternut Lane location to six.
There are currently 40 residents confirmed with coronavirus and 38 staff, up by two since Monday.
“Our continued gratitude goes out to our community partners for their exceptional support. We have had an outpouring of goodwill from local businesses, individuals and volunteers,” a statement read.
More cases at SickKids hospital
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Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children says it now has two patients with unrelated cases of COVID-19 — and one of them is linked to an outbreak that infected their parents and a member of the clinical team.
SickKids says the outbreak involves a teenage patient who was in an inpatient unit specializing in hematology/oncology.
The other case involves a patient who tested positive Tuesday morning, after arriving Monday.
Increase in cases at Toronto’s Eatonville Care Centre
A 39th resident at Eatonville Care Centre in Etobicoke has died of COVID-19, according to a statement from facility staff.
In total, the statement said 142 residents and 96 staff have tested positive for the virus.
Toronto Public Health (TPH) said the outbreak at the home began on March 29.
As of Tuesday evening, TPH’s COVID-19 statistics listed 172 residents as testing positive for the virus — 36 of whom died and eight were reported to be in the hospital. The next TPH update is scheduled for Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Evelyn MacDonald, the centre’s executive director, praised the recent arrival of 29 Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members who will help with operations at the facility as many staff remain off work. She said half of the personnel have medical training and will help the nursing staff and PSWs while the rest will help with housekeeping and dietary needs.
“These reinforcements will greatly benefit and bolster the hard-working team at Eatonville Care Centre who have pushed through the last few weeks with dedication and compassion,” she wrote.
“The staff moods have been elevated with the CAF arrival and support. Our thanks again, to the premier and government for moving this initiative forward so quickly.”
Toronto police warn of COVID-19-related scams
Toronto police are advising the public to be vigilant amid an increase in various coronavirus-related scams.
In a news release Tuesday, officials said the scams have been appearing online over the past several weeks.
Some include text messages requesting banking information for processing emergency government benefits related to COVID-19, police said.
Workers at Toronto child care centre test positive for coronavirus
The City of Toronto is reporting three staff members at a child care centre for children of critical service workers have tested positive for coronavirus.
According to a statement issued late Monday, the employees work at the Jesse Ketchum Early Learning and Child Care Centre on Berryman Street near Yonge Street and Davenport Road.
The statement also said two children and two other staff members were tested and are awaiting their results.
Free Wi-Fi being installed at select low-income apartment buildings, shelters, long-term care homes
The City of Toronto has announced a plan that will see free Wi-Fi be temporarily deployed at several apartment buildings, long-term care homes and shelters.
“While the City encourages Torontonians to stay home as much as possible, people who cannot afford home internet face barriers to receiving public health information, pandemic support services, and emergency income supports and have difficulty staying connected to family and friends,” the statement said.
According to officials, 25 low-income apartment buildings will have free internet access for a year. The buildings are still being selected, but the installations could begin in early May.
“Technical solutions and signal strength may vary throughout each building, although the aim is to provide enough coverage and strength to read news, submit online forms, use messenger apps, but not stream media/games,” the statement said.
At the City-owned long-term care homes, free Wi-Fi is being expanded to help residents connect with families.
Wi-Fi access is also being offered at four permanent shelters and five temporary shelters. However, the list of those shelters wasn’t disclosed. Cellphones are also being distributed to vulnerable Toronto residents in need.
“With the closure of most public Wi-Fi locations, including libraries, malls and restaurants, many vulnerable people no longer have access to the vital supports they need,” the statement said.
Ontario to release ‘sector-specific’ workplace reopening guidelines
Ontario will be releasing “sector-specific” labour guidelines later this week to ensure workplaces can reopen safely when the time comes, Premier Doug Ford says.
Ford made the remarks during a press conference on Tuesday just a day after his government released a general reopening plan for the economy.
“These criteria and guidelines will be based on the best medical advice and scientific evidence available because in the coming days and weeks, as we move to open more and more parts of the economy, as more and more workplaces open up, having clear safety guidelines in place will be critical to keeping COVID-19 at bay,” he said.
Delayed surgeries may have caused 35 deaths: minister
An Ontario hospital network has estimated that 35 people may have died during the COVID-19 pandemic because their cardiac surgeries weren’t performed, Health Minister Christine Elliott said Tuesday.
The report was released by Toronto’s University Health Network, Elliott said.
Thousands of surgeries were postponed or cancelled in order to ensure enough acute and critical capacity in Ontario hospitals for a possible surge of COVID-19 patients.
— With files from The Canadian Press
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