6 coronavirus-related deaths reported at Markham home for adults with disabilities

Another two coronavirus-related deaths have been reported at Markham’s Participation House Butternut Lane location, bringing the total number of coronavirus-related deaths to six.

The long-term care home for adults with physical and mental disabilities has been hit hard by a COVID-19 outbreak with 40 of 42 residents testing positive for the virus. Two more staff members have also been infected, bringing the total to 38.

Ray Johnston, a 70-year-old resident of the home, passed away late last week while Patricia Baird, who was a resident for five years, and 58-year-old Martin Frogley died on April 15.

Personal information about three of the residents who died has not been made available.

Another of Participation House’s long-term care homes, Farintosh Home, has reported one case among residences and one among their staff. All nine residents who live in the home and all staff have been tested.

Staffing at the long-term care home has also been a critical issue as many full-time staff members, including all Personal Support Workers, walked off the job after an outbreak was declared on April 9.

A statement from Participation House last week said they have been able to make up some of their staffing shortages through a series of different sources. Former MP Dr. Jane Philpott assembled a small group of doctors for assessments and on-call capacity while a group of local nurses also stepped up.