Resolved COVID-19 cases skyrocket in Newmarket

Newmarket's resolved cases skyrocketed overnight to more than two-thirds of its confirmed 205 COVID-19 cases, after weeks of lagging behind other York Region municipalities.

Of Newmarket's cumulative 205 confirmed COVID-19 cases, York Region public health is reporting that 146 cases — the majority of which were acquired in an institutional outbreak — are recovered. 

On Monday, May 25, the last of six institutional outbreaks in Newmarket was declared closed. The 47-day virulent outbreak at Mackenzie Place Long-term Care Home was among the worst in the region, exposing 80 of 90 residents, and causing 15 COVID-19 related deaths.

Other Newmarket outbreaks declared closed are Southlake Regional Health Centre, Southlake Residential Care Village, Eagle Terrace Long-term Care Home, and the CBI Health Group (Canadian Back Institute) homes Dixon and Haines. 

With 71 per cent of cases now resolved  — of which 64 per cent were acquired in an outbreak — Newmarket has 37 active cases of COVID-19 as of May 27.  

Ninety-five residents and 49 health-care workers (not all of whom live in York Region) account for the 144 total cases of COVID-19 acquired in an outbreak Newmarket.

As of yesteday, 46 of York Region's 57 outbreaks are closed, however, several long-term care homes continue to struggle to control outbreaks, including River Glen Haven Nursing Home in Georgina, Woodbridge Vista Care Community in Vaughan and Villa Colombo Vaughan Di Poce Centre in Kleinburg.

Two more fatalities at River Glen Nursing Home in Sutton, where 84 residents and 31 health-care workers at the 115-bed facility are infected, bring the death toll there to 25 — the highest among the long-term cares homes in the region. The Ministry of Long-Term Care has appointed Southlake Regional Health Centre to manage the outbreak.

An 86-year-old woman, who was asymptomatic, passed away Tuesday, May 26 after a positive test May 25; and a 91-year-old woman, whose symptom began May 20, passed away Tuesday, May 26 after a positive test May 22.

York Region is reporting three other fatalities May 27, all due to COVID-19 acquired at a long-term care or retirement home, now totalling 193.

An 89-year-old Vaughan woman who passed away Monday, May 25 at Woodbridge Vista Care Community was confirmed positive Tuesday, May 26.

A 93-year-old Vaughan woman passed away Tuesday, May 26 at Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital with COVID-19 acquired at Viva Thornhill Woods Retirement Community, after testing positive May 18.

An 94-year-old Vaughan woman, who was asymptomatic, passed away Tuesday, May 26 at Woodbridge Vista Care Community, after testing positive May 23.

The number of hospitalized patients in York Region is 62, with 15 cases critically ill in ICU. In Newmarket, three residents are hospitalized, none in ICU.

As of 4:30 p.m. May 27, Southlake Regional Health Centre is reporting three COVID-19 patients in ICU, and 16 COVID-19 positive patients being cared for in an inpatient unit. The number of inpatients under investigation for COVID-19 is 34. Deaths total 20.