Ontario records three coronavirus-related deaths Sunday

Three more Ontarians have died as a result of the coronavirus, raising the provincial total to six.

Toronto Public Health says a man in his 70s who had travelled to England died on Saturday. He was in self-isolating at home after being tested at a hospital in Toronto. The man later returned to Trillium Health Partners – Mississauga Hospital on March 14 and died on March 21.

“We extend our sincere condolences to the family and friends of the individual who died this weekend,” said Dr. Eileen de Villa, Toronto’s Medical Officer of Health. “I’m asking everyone again to make every effort and take every opportunity to practice social distancing. Please stay home, stay safe and take care of each other.”

Mayor John Tory said the city’s first death related to COVID-19 is a tragic reminder of the deadly consequences facing everyone.

“That is why it is so important that we all continue to do everything we can to stop the spread of COVID-19,” he said. “Our medical experts have been clear, everyone has to change their behaviour and stay away from people to save lives.”

Toronto Public Health says there are currently 220 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the city.

York Region health officials say a 72-year-old Markham woman returned from international travel on Saturday and died shortly thereafter.

Dr. Karim Kurji, York Region’s Medical Officer of Health, said the woman returned to Toronto from Los Angeles while also having visited France and Tahiti.

After being picked up at the airport by her son and daughter-in-law, she collapsed in their home in Toronto a few hours later and died.

Dr. Kurji said following a coroner’s investigation, it was determined that the woman had contracted COVID-19. However, he said it’s unknown at this time when she became infected.

“This case speaks to the seriousness of the current situation and how as a community we need to continue working together to protect one another,” said Dr. Kurji.

Dr. Kurji was asked how a woman who was so sick that she died hours upon arriving in Toronto was allowed to board a plane in the first place.

“One would have assumed that her symptoms might have led to her being detected, either in terms of getting on to the plane or maybe as she got off here,” he explained. “From what I can judge her symptoms seemed to have included shortness of breath and a cough but they may have included something further.”

“When it comes to symptoms and science and detection of those, sometimes individuals escape detection. The last modelling study I saw seemed to indicate that about 42 per cent of individuals who may be infectious tend to get through these screening measures.”

York Region reported seven new cases of COVID-19 on Sunday, bringing the total number of cases in the region to 44.

Late Sunday, the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit confirmed a man in his 80s who was admitted to hospital on March 19 with a high fever and influenza-like symptoms died on Sunday. The cause of death was listed as both pneumonia and COVID-19.

Health officials say the man had no travel history or contact with anyone confirmed to have coronavirus.

“Unfortunately, this man’s tragic passing highlights that we now have community transmission of COVID-19 in our area,” said Medical Officer of Health Dr. Lynn Noseworthy.

On Friday, the region confirmed a coronavirus outbreak at the Pinecrest Nursing Home in Bobcaygeon after three long-term care residents tested positive for the virus. The three included a 61-year-old male, an 89-year-old male and a 94-year-old female.

Ontario Public Health reported 48 new COVID-19 cases Sunday, bringing the total in the province to 425.