UPDATE: COVID-19 death toll goes up to 3 in Richmond Hill

Death toll for York Region increases to 41

Yorkregion.com
April 15, 2020
Shelia Wang

An 89-year-old Richmond Hill woman died on Apr. 13 of the novel coronavirus, bringing the death toll to three in the city.

The woman, who was infected through close contact, tested positive for the virus on March 29, two days after developing symptoms, according to York Region Public Health.

She died at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre.

There have been 41 deaths related to COVID-19 in York Region, as of Apr. 14 at 5 p.m.

The third death was reported one day after York Region released information about the second coronavirus-related fatality in Richmond Hill, a 77-year-old man who died at Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital on Apr. 7.

The man, who first developed symptoms on March 27, tested positive for the virus two days later.

It remains unknown how the man contracted the virus.

The first COVID-19 death in Richmond Hill was a woman in her late 50s who died on Easter Friday, according to York Region Public Health.

Mayor Dave Barrow extended his condolences to the first victim’s family and friends in a statement on April 13.

"Unfortunately, this terrible news underlines why we all need to continue taking action to help keep Richmond Hill safe and stop the spread of this devastating virus," Barrow said.

The city has not released further details on the woman.

"I’m deeply saddened and wanted to send out my sincerest condolences to the family and residents of the 59-year-old woman who passed away," Regional Councillor Joe DiPaola said in a video posted on Twitter the morning of April 13.

There have been 824 confirmed cases in the region, including 101 resolved and 40 hospitalized, according to public health statistics on Apr. 14.

"Please stay home as much as you can, and if you must go into our community, keep a safe distance of 2 m from others," Barrow said. "Your actions can save lives and will have a real impact on our fight against COVID-19."