2 more Newmarket COVID-19 cases among surge to 112 in York Region

As the predicted increase following March break continues, the number of health care workers with COVID-19 has jumped from eight to 12

Newmarkettoday.ca
March 26, 2020
Deborah Kelly

York Region is marking the biggest daily surge in additional COVID-19 cases with a total of 30 new cases --including three in Newmarket --reaching a total of 112 today, March 25.

As the predicted increase following March break continues, the number of health care workers with COVID-19 in York Region has jumped from eight to 12 since this morning.

York Region public health confirmed 15 new cases this morning, and has added 15 more tonight.

Southlake Regional Health Centre is reporting the number of patients in its intensive care unit has more doubled since yesterday, March 24, with five confirmed positive cases and two suspected cases awaiting test results.

The two new cases being reported tonight in Newmarket are a women in her 20s and a man his 50s, both under investigation.

The additional cases, all under investigation, are:

• In Richmond Hill, a man in his 90s (hospitalized); a man in his 50s, a man in his 60s, a woman in her 50s (self-isolation), and a man in his 40s (self-isolation);
• In Markham, a man in his 20s;
• In Vaughan, two woman in their 20s (one is a close contact case); a woman in her 50s; a man in his 60s; a woman in her 40s; and a man aged under 20.

Cases under investigation indicate the growth in local transmission or community spread.

"These investigations are complex, each one is different. The interview process with people alone can take five to seven hours at times," said York Region spokesperson Patrick Casey.

Of the 112 cases in York Region, 41 are in Vaughan; 33 in Markham, 15 in Richmond Hill, seven in Whitchurch-Stouffville, eight in Newmarket, four in East Gwillimbury, two in Aurora and one in King Township. Location is pending in one case. One case is resolved.

Tonight, the province is reporting four additional COVID-19-related deaths, now totalling 13.

This morning, Ontario added 100 confirmed cases of COVID-19, for a total of 688 cases.

Southlake is investigating 41 people for COVID-19 as of 4 p.m. today, March 25, which is one less person than was reported yesterday.

In addition, the Newmarket hospital’s COVID-19 assessment centre and emergency department has so far sent home 15 people confirmed positive for the respiratory disease to self-quarantine, an increase of four more individuals than on March 24.

If you have been tested at Southlake’s Davis Drive assessment centre, results are available on the online patient connect portal. Register online at 877-733-5033. Hospital staff are not authorized to release test results over the phone or by text. Please do not call the hospital to ask for your test results.