Institutional outbreaks have spiked dramatically in York Region, including at three long-term care centres in Newmarket.
Southlake Residential Care Village, Eagle Terrace Long-Term Care Home and Mackenzie Place Long-Term Care are among nine long-term care facilities and retirement homes under COVID-19 protocols, as York Region public health reports an additional 52 confirmed cases today, April 10, now totalling 656.
Three additional cases are being reported in Newmarket, totalling 38, with seven cases resolved.
The first COVID-19 outbreak was declared March 22 at Markhaven Home for Seniors in Markham, where seven residents have died of COVID-19. One other resident has died at Bethany Lodge in Markham.
Seniors are among the majority of York Region's 24 COVID-19 related deaths.
COVID-10 outbreaks have also been identified at Chartwell Aurora Long-Term Care Residence, Kristus Darzs Latvian Home in Woodbridge, Villa Leonardo Gambin in Woodbridge and Yee Hong Ho Lai Oi Wan Centre in Markham.
Additionally, four community care settings are also under COVID-19 protocols: Participation House in Markham, Reena Home Kerrybrook in Richmond Hill, Reena Home Crestwood in Vaughan and Vita Community Living Home.
Staff at Participation House, which houses 42 adults with disabilities, walked off the job Thursday when they learned 10 residents and two staff members had tested positive for COVID-19.
Outbreaks in the southern portion of the region, including two gyms and grocery stores in Vaughan continue to fuel the number of cases there.
Residents of long-term care and retirement homes were identified as a priority group last week when the Ontario government announced it will be significantly expanding and enhancing testing.
Dr. David Williams, Ontario's chief medical officer of health, introduced restrictions in March preventing residents from leaving a home for short visits with family and friends to help ensure residents do not inadvertently contract COVID-19 while out of the home.
Of the 656 cases in York Region:
- 313 are confirmed in Vaughan (+ 16 today), 7 deaths;
- 155 in Markham (+ 21 today), 15 deaths;
- 93 in Richmond Hill (+ 9 today);
- 38 in Newmarket (+ 3 today);
- 24 in Aurora (+ 2 today), 1 death;
- 11 in Whitchurch-Stouffville;
- 11 in King, 1 death;
- 8 in East Gwillimbury (+ 2 today);
- 3 in Georgina (+ 1 today).
The number of hospitalized patients in York Region increased from 38 to 41 today, with 22 cases critically ill in ICU. Two Newmarket patients remain in ICU. Forty-two per cent of the region's cases are in self-isolation.
As of 3:30 p.m. today, Southlake Regional Health Centre is reporting nine COVID-19 patients are in ICU, and seven COVID-19 patients are in an inpatient unit. Thirteen patients are under investigation for COVID-19.
The total number of infected health-care workers, which may include physicians, nurses and paramedics, jumped from 41 to 47 today: six in Newmarket; one in Aurora, three in Whitchurch-Stouffville; five in Richmond Hill, 13 in Vaughan; and 19 in Markham
