York Region's decline in new COVID-19 cases hits 'pause button' with spike in outbreak cases

While a spike in new COVID-19 cases in York Region over the last several days has "hit a pause button" on their downward trend, it's directly linked to testing at long-term care homes, according to the medical officer of health. 

"Our downward trajectory seems to have hit a pause button. When we look more carefully, it appears that the larger number of cases can be attributed to outbreaks in long-term care homes that have still not come under control," Dr. Karim Kurji said in online update.

As well, the upswing in workplace outbreaks continues, with more than 40 now declared, he added.

York Region public health is reporting 24 new COVID-19 cases today, totalling 2,281, and four more deaths, totalling 182.

The region has among the lowest incidence rate for new COVID-19 cases in the GTA, 9.8 per 100,000 population, according to Kurji.

The highest number of single-day new cases was April 13, when 70 cases were reported, with cases slowly declining since then, despite occasional blips in recent weeks.

On May 22, 49 new cases were reported, 33 of which were at Woodbridge Vista Care Community, following "a mass swabbing", according to York Region spokesperson Patrick Casey. And on May 23, 39 new cases were reported, at Woodbridge Vista Care Community, and at River Glen Haven Nursing Home. Yesterday, May 24, 33 new cases were confirmed.

Today, the Ministry of Long-Term Care appointed Southlake Regional Health Centre to temporarily manage the outbreak at River Glen Haven Nursing Home in Sutton where 74 of 115 residents and 30 health-care workers have tested positive.

A 20th resident death at the facility is being reported today, with a 102-year-old woman who was asymptomatic passing away Saturday, May 23, one day following positive test results.

A sixth resident has died as a result of the outbreak at Woodbridge Vista Care Community, where an 85-year-old woman passed away Sunday, May 24, after onset of symptoms May 15 and positive test results May 16.

Of York Region's 57 outbreaks — an additional outbreak has been declared today at Blue Door Shelter with one resident and one staff member testing positive — 42 have been resolved, with cases now totalling 1,071 and deaths reaching 141.

Ontario's recent spike in the number of new COVID-19 cases has prompted the province to delay lifting restrictions on social gathering limits. For the fifth day in a row, Ontario reported more than 400 new cases of COVID-19 in a single day.

Dr. David Williams, Ontario’s chief medical officer, said at a news briefing “this current little blip” could be attributed to celebrations around Mother’s Day weekend, on May 10, when individuals appeared to have relaxed adherence to physical distancing guidelines.

Screening and testing of asymptomatic individuals in congregate living spaces will continue in York Region, and Dr. Kurji added that asymptomatic employees whose workplace has an outbreak should also get tested.

The province has loosened testing criteria so that anyone who is a contact of a confirmed COVID-19 case, even without symptoms, can access testing at any of the region's three hospital assessment centres, he said.

York Region public health is reporting two additional COVID-19 related fatalities today.

A 79-year-old Vaughan man passed away Saturday, May 23 at Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital of a local transmission case confirmed April 2.

A 68-year-old Vaughan woman passed away Sunday, May 24 at Etobicoke General Hospital of a close contact case, with COVID-19 confirmed April 9.

The number of hospitalized patients in York Region is 66, with 17 cases critically ill in ICU. In Newmarket, five residents are hospitalized, none in ICU.

As of 3 p.m. May 25, Southlake Regional Health Centre is reporting four COVID-19 patients in ICU, and 15 COVID-19 positive patients being cared for in an inpatient unit. The number of inpatients under investigation for COVID-19 is 27. Deaths total 20.