3 more deaths in Toronto related to COVID-19
Posted March 25, 2020 3:59 pm.
Last Updated March 25, 2020 7:20 pm.
Three more people have died in Toronto, all related to COVID-19, Dr. Eileen de Villa, Medical Officer of Health for the City of Toronto, said Wednesday.
The three people include an elderly man who had a pre-existing condition and two residents of Seven Oaks long-term care home. A total of four people have died in Toronto.
As of 1 p.m., Toronto had 319 cases of the coronavirus, an increase of 39 over Tuesday. About 16 per cent of the cases were linked back to community spread and 22 people are in hospital.
Dr de Villa said the number of cases linked to community spread doesn’t surprise her and they had anticipated that would happen.
Toronto also order all city-owned playgrounds and park amenities to be closed Wednesday on the advice of Dr. de Villa.
Dr. de Villa says there is still time to slow the spread of this virus, but “our window is closing.”
She added they made the decision to close them now because their hope was people could still enjoy the parks in a manner that respects social distancing, but said, “unfortunately, it appears that wasn’t the case.”
Fire Chief Matthew Pegg also said enforcement has continued on non-essential businesses that have stayed open despite the order from the province to close. Of 38 reports they received, two notices were issued. Both were gyms.
