The province is reporting another daily increase in confirmed COVID-19 cases near 500, and a record number of deaths reported in a single day.
Today the province recorded an additional 494 cases of COVID-19, which is now the second-highest daily total recorded. The highest one-day increase was April 8, when the province recorded 552 new cases. The next highest came April 9 and yesterday (April 14) when the increase was reported at 483 new cases.
Today's report shows another record-setting increase in deaths announced by the province, with 51 more reported to bring the total deaths attributed to COVID-19 in Ontario to 385. Of those, 144 have been residents or patients at long-term care homes.
In Ontario, there are 8,447 cases of COVID-19, which includes 3,902 recoveries and 385 deaths.
In York Region, 41 deaths and 824 cases are being reported, including two deaths and 61 cases in Newmarket as of April 14.
There are 795 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 in the province including 254 in intensive care units and 188 of those on ventilators.
Testing criteria was loosened by the province last week to allow more people to be tested with fewer symptoms. Ontario provincial health has now included a daily total for test completed, and is reporting there were 6,010 tests completed yesterday and there are 4,429 tests still awaiting results. The province has tested a total of 119,092 people.
York Region medical officer of health Dr. Karim Kurji is now saying now that any resident with COVID-19 symptoms should go to an assessment centre at Southlake, Mackenzie Health or Markham Stouffville Hospital.
The province is now reporting there are 98 outbreaks of COVID-19 in long-term care homes and 28 outbreaks at Ontario hospitals.
There are 834 cases of COVID-19 reported in residents and patients at long term care homes, and 82 at hospitals.
Yesterday Premier Doug Ford announced Ontario’s state of emergency declaration would now extend to May 12.
Ford also announced a new action plan launching today to redeploy resources to long-term care homes. He also introduced a new measure prohibiting long-term-care staff from working at more than one facility. He said the province would supplement their income to compensate for reduced work hours.
— With files from Debora Kelly
