Corp Comm Connects

York Region marks biggest daily spike in COVID-19 cases, surpassing 500 in total

An Aurora resident is the municipality's first COVID-related fatality

Newmarkettoday.ca
April 8, 2020
Debora Kelly

An Aurora man in his 80s is among two additional COVID-19 related deaths in York Region, as the number of cases spiked in the largest daily increase to date -- 59 new cases -- to total 523 today, April 7.

The man, who acquired COVID-19 through travel, died April 3, after first experiencing symptoms March 21. He tested positive April 1, according to York Region public health.

Another Markham resident, a man in his 80s, died yesterday after testing positive March 31 and April 3. The cause of transmission is unknown.

Nineteen people have died in York Region as a result of COVID-19, with the majority of fatalities, 13, occurring in Markham.

York Region public health reported the death of a Newmarket resident yesterday, which has been retracted in its report today.

A 74-year-old man who died April 1, identified as a King resident, is King's first COVID-related fatality.

Yesterday, April 6, York Region public health reported one of the lowest daily increases in confirmed COVID-19 cases -- 12 new cases -- since they began to dramatically increase on March 12.

Newmarket has two more confirmed cases today, now totalling 33 -- of which six cases are frontline health-care workers. Four cases are resolved.

York Region's medical officer of health has identified Newmarket as one of the municipalities that has yet to reach its peak in coronavirus cases.

"I'm cautiously optimistic that we may be reaching the peak or plateau in York Region," said Dr. Karim Kurji in a video update April 6. "However, there are still some pockets in York Region where the trajectory is high -- Vaughan, Richmond Hill and Newmarket, to a lesser extent."

As of today, York Region public health is reporting 64 cases are resolved.

Outbreaks continue at certain locations in the region, he said, including four long-term care centres in Markham, a group home, and two gyms in Vaughan.

The number of hospitalized patients in York Region decreased from 36 to 35 today, with 19 cases remaining critically ill in ICU. Two Newmarket patients remain in ICU.

The total number of infected health-care workers, which may include physicians, nurses and paramedics, has increased to 40: six in Newmarket; one in Aurora, three in Whitchurch-Stouffville; four in Richmond Hill, nine in Vaughan; and 17 in Markham.

The number of resolved cases has increased from 52 to 55 since yesterday.

As of today at 4:15 p.m., nine COVID-19 patients are in Southlake's ICU. The number of COVID-19 patients in an inpatient unit has decreased to four from five, while the number of inpatients are under investigation has jumped from seven to 23.

Of the 523 cases in York Region:

In York Region, the majority of cases are aged 55 to 64 (21 per cent), followed by 45 to 54-year-olds (18 per cent). The number of cases aged 20 to 34 has decreased to 16 per cent, while 65 to 79-year-olds account for another 16 per cent of the total cases.