Ontario is reporting another 478 lab-confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the province and another 22 deaths since yesterday morning’s report.
The provincial death toll is now reported at 222 fatalities linked to the virus.
There have been 6,237 cases of COVID-19 confirmed in the province since the pandemic began. This week (April 5-10) the province has confirmed an additional 2,609 cases, which has been about a seven per cent to 11.5 per cent increase in cases each day.
Ontario’s statistics as of 4 p.m. yesterday - and reported this morning at 10:30 a.m. – indicate there have been 2,574 recoveries from COVID-19. There are 673 patients hospitalized, 260 of those are in intensive care units and 217 of those are on ventilators.
There are now 73 outbreaks reported in long-term care facilities in the province.
There have now been 94,271 tests completed in the province.
Yesterday, Ontario’s chief medical officer issued new guidelines for who should receive COVID-19 tests.
Dr. David Williams wrote a memo to say new residents admitted to long-term care facilities as well as their roomates, symptomatic residents, and asymptomatic residents, staff or visitors that have come in contact with a confirmed case.
Previously, there was no direction - in fact it was discouraged - to test asymptomatic individuals.
“The move toward testing people under those conditions without symptoms is a key change,” Dr. Charles Gardner, medical officer of health for Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit (SMDHU).
Williams also noted those with atypical symptoms should be considered for testing, including signs such as unexplained fatigue, delirium, falls, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, chills and headaches.
All health care workers, caregivers, care providers and first responders should now be tested “as soon as feasible” at the sign of any symptoms including atypical ones, states Williams’ memo.
Gardner said the health unit has encouraged assessment centres in the region to do additional testing beyond the broadened provincial testing qualifications if they have the capacity to do so.
Williams stated all staff and essential visitors in long-term care homes are required to wear surgical masks in those facilities whether there is an active outbreak or not.
Gardner said the health unit has provided the same recommendation to long-term care facilities within its jurisdiction.
SMDHU is not providing an update on regional cases today, but will update the case list on its website tomorrow.
The health unit has confirmed there are 115 cases in Simcoe County and Muskoka.
Of the 114 cases posted to the health unit's website, 40 people have recovered and 40 are in self-isolation. There are 14 people hospitalized and five have died from the virus. The 115th case has not been posted.
Regional deaths include two men in their 70s in Barrie (confirmed related), an Orillia couple in their 70s and 80s, and a Wasaga Beach man in his 70s.
In Simcoe County and Muskoka, there are 41 cases of COVID-19 linked to travel, 25 linked to close contact with another known case, and 30 community-acquired cases. There are four more under investigation.
The case breakdown for towns and cities in the region is as follows: Collingwood (3), Barrie (20), Orillia (10), Springwater (4), Clearview (2), New Tecumseth (13), Adjala-Tosorontio (2), Bradford West Gwillimbury (29), Essa (2), Innisfil (4), Wasaga Beach (3) Midland (3), Penetanguishene (1), Oro-Medonte (2), Tiny (2), Ramara (2), Gravenhurst (6), Muskoka Lakes (2), and Huntsville (4).
