Ontario COVID-19 death toll hits 200

Published Apr 09, 2020 • 1 minute read

A hearse leaves Pinecrest Nursing Home after numerous residents died and dozens of staff were infected with coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Bobcaygeon, Ontario, Canada March 31, 2020. (REUTERS/Carlos Osorio)

Another 483 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in Ontario, a daily increase of 9.2% to bring the total number of confirmed cases to 5,759.

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The virus has claimed 200 lives, an additional 26 deaths since Wednesday when provincial public health officials last released coronavirus data.

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Among the dead was a healthcare worker at William Osler’s Brampton Civic Hospital.

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Ontario Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. David Williams said the rate of new cases over the last few days have not followed the arc of the worst case scenario model.

“That means we should be reporting (new case) numbers in the 800 to 900 range daily and we’re not seeing that,” Williams said. “So that’s one point of reassurance.”

Although the Ontario government has repeatedly claimed to have drawn an iron ring around the province’s vulnerable population in long-term care, 88 residents have died and hundreds have been infected.

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There are confirmed outbreaks at 69 long-term care facilities and 15 hospitals.

The government announced Thursday it would bring in more strenuous testing.

Previously, testing was done on the first few symptomatic residents in nursing homes — typically those with a fever or worsening acute respiratory illness.

Now all residents showing symptoms must be tested, although it remains voluntary whether a resident showing no symptoms will be screened.

Ontario has confirmed COVID-19 in 740 people aged 80 or older, and 120 have died.

There have been 622 health care workers who have tested positive.

aartuso@postmedia.com

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