A 79-year-old man and 92-year-old man, both in Markham, are York Region's fifth and sixth COVID-19-related deaths.
The 79-year-old men died at Markham Stouffville Hospital Monday, March 30, after first developing symptoms March 18.
The man, who had underlying health conditions, had shared a household with an individual with a confirmed case of COVID-19, York Region's medical officer of health, Dr. Karim Kurji, said in a statement today.
The 92-year-old man, who died Tuesday, March 31, is the second resident to die at Markhaven Home for Seniors, where a COVID-19 outbreak has been declared. A man in his 80s, who also was a resident at Markhaven, was York Region's third death Saturday, March 28.
Kurji identified the Markhaven as one of two long-term care residences in Markham where "clusters" of COVID-19 cases are occurring.
"I extend my sincere condolences to their families and loved ones. I also want to thank frontline health care workers at Markham Stouffville Hospital, Markhaven Home for Seniors and across the region who continue to provide excellent care," Dr. Kurji said.
On Sunday, March 29, the region's fourth death was a 100-year-old Vaughan woman, who was a close household contact to the region’s second COVID-19 related death March 26, a woman in her 80s with underlying health conditions.
York Region's first COVID-19 related death was a 72-year-old Markham woman who died March 21 hours after she returned home from travel in Tahiti and France via Los Angeles.
"Please do your part to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in order to protect the health and well-being of our community," Kurji said. "Residents need to stay home, maintain physical distancing and practice good hand hygiene. These cases further emphasize the seriousness of the spread. We all need to do our part to protect one another. ”
