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Unreported COVID-19 cases cause small spike for York Region

Public Health was unaware of only 31 of the 176 York Region positive cases not reported by William Osler Health System, says region's spokesperson 
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While Ontario Health Minister Christine Elliott confirmed hundreds of positive cases in the GTA were unreported in a "misunderstanding", the impact on York Region's daily case numbers is minimal.

York Region Public Health was unaware of only 31 of the total 176 York Region positive cases that were not reported by William Osler Health System, according to York Region spokesperson Patrick Casey. 

Seven individuals were contacted Sunday and were included in the 27 new cases reported May 31, Casey said, and an additional 24 cases were being contacted yesterday and are included in the 51 new cases reported today.

The spike of 51 cases — the highest daily amount reported since April 24 when 60 new cases were logged — has boosted York Region's total cases to 2,515, of which 506 are active.  

The approximately 700 unreported positive tests, mostly for residents of Toronto, York and Peel regions, were completed as far back as April but the 12 public health units involved were only notified several days ago.

At a news briefing today, Elliott said the oversight that occurred as a result of a "misunderstanding" didn't mean thousands of contacts of the confirmed cases were not traced by public health workers, potentially contributing to wider spread of the virus, because individuals were informed their results were available online.  

Four additional COVID-19 related fatalities are being reported today, now totalling 213, including an 87-year-old Aurora woman who passed away Sunday, May 31 at Southlake Regional Health Centre in Newmarket of a close contact case confirmed May 20.

A 93-year-old Vaughan woman, who was asymptomatic, was the 18th resident of Woodbridge Vista Care Community to pass away, on Monday, June 1. 

Two more residents have died as a result of community-acquired cases, an 86-year-old Vaughan resident passed away Saturday, May 30 at Etobicoke General Hospital and a 72-year-old Markham man passed away Monday, June 1 at Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital.

Two more institutional outbreaks were declared today: at Brigitta’s Residential Homes at 128 Arden Ave. in Newmarket, where one resident is positive; and at Shyan Byrne Special Cares Inc. at 379 Queensville Sideroad in East Gwillimbury, where one resident and one staff member are positive.

Of 62 outbreaks across the region, 16 are currently active.  

The number of hospitalized patients in York Region remains at 60, with 17 cases critically ill in ICU. One Newmarket resident is hospitalized, none in ICU.

As of 4 p.m. June 2, Southlake Regional Health Centre has three COVID-19 patients in ICU, and 20 COVID-19 positive patients are being cared for in an inpatient unit. The number of inpatients under investigation for COVID-19 is 22. Total deaths increased to 21.

Of 2,515 (+51) cases in York Region:

  • 1,100 (+37) are confirmed in Vaughan, 86 deaths, 767 (70%) resolved;
  • 540 (+10) in Markham, 46 deaths, 386 (71%) resolved;
  • 260 (+3) in Richmond Hill, 8 deaths, 194 (75%) resolved;
  • 216 (+3) in Newmarket, 22 deaths, 161 (75%) resolved; 
  • 137 in Georgina, 32 deaths, 93 (68%) resolved;
  • 103 in Aurora, 14 deaths, 78 (76%) resolved;
  • 65 in Whitchurch-Stouffville, 1 death, 46 (71%) resolved;
  • 55 in East Gwillimbury; 1 death; 44 (80%) resolved;
  • 30 in King, 3 deaths, 23 (77%) resolved.

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Debora Kelly

About the Author: Debora Kelly

Debora Kelly is NewmarketToday's editor. She is an award-winning journalist and communications professional who is passionate about building strong communities through engagement, advocacy and partnership.
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