Coronavirus: Latest developments in the Greater Toronto Area on April 28

Here is a roundup of the latest developments on the coronavirus pandemic in the Greater Toronto Area for Tuesday:

525 new coronavirus cases in Ontario, total surpasses 15,000 cases with 951 deaths

Ontario reported 525 new cases of the novel coronavirus on Tuesday and 59 additional deaths, bringing the provincial total to 15,381 cases.

The reported death toll has risen to 951.

Meanwhile, 8,964 people have recovered from COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus, which is 58.3 per cent of cases.

Tuesday’s report marks a 3.5 per cent increase in cases compared to the day prior (Monday’s report saw 424 new cases). It also marks the highest single-day increase in deaths so far.

Greater Toronto Area public health units account for 59.4 per cent of all cases in the province.

More deaths confirmed at Markham’s Participation House

A spokesperson for Markham’s Participation House, a home for adults with disabilities confirmed two more deaths at the home on Tuesday.

“The families of both have given permission to confirm that these residents died in hospital but requested that no other personal details be released at this time.

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The confirmation brings the total numbers of deaths from the Participation House location on Butternut Lane to six.

This brings the total number of deaths from Butternut Lane location to six.

There are currently 40 residents confirmed with coronavirus and 38 staff, up by two since Monday.

“Our continued gratitude goes out to our community partners for their exceptional support. We have had an outpouring of goodwill from local businesses, individuals and volunteers,” a statement read.

Toronto police warn of COVID-19-related scams

Toronto police are advising the public to be vigilant amid an increase in various coronavirus-related scams.

In a news release Tuesday, officials said the scams have been appearing online over the past several weeks.

Some include text messages requesting banking information for processing emergency government benefits related to COVID-19, police said.

Ontario to release ‘sector-specific’ workplace reopening guidelines

Ontario will be releasing “sector-specific” labour guidelines later this week to ensure workplaces can reopen safely when the time comes, Premier Doug Ford says.

Ford made the remarks during a press conference on Tuesday just a day after his government released a general reopening plan for the economy.

“These criteria and guidelines will be based on the best medical advice and scientific evidence available because in the coming days and weeks, as we move to open more and more parts of the economy, as more and more workplaces open up, having clear safety guidelines in place will be critical to keeping COVID-19 at bay,” he said.

Delayed surgeries may have caused 35 deaths: minister

An Ontario hospital network has estimated that 35 people may have died during the COVID-19 pandemic because their cardiac surgeries weren’t performed, Health Minister Christine Elliott said Tuesday.

The report was released by Toronto’s University Health Network, Elliott said.

Thousands of surgeries were postponed or cancelled in order to ensure enough acute and critical capacity in Ontario hospitals for a possible surge of COVID-19 patients.

— With files from The Canadian Press

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