19 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ontario, bringing provincial total to 79

CTV National News: PM addresses Canadians The prime minister asked Canadians to cancel overseas travel in his address to the nation on COVID-19. Glen McGregor breaks it down.

TORONTO — Nineteen more cases of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) have been confirmed in Ontario, bringing the provincial total to 79, including five recoveries.

There are more than 580 people currently under investigation for the virus. More than 4,400 people in Ontario have tested negative.

The new cases include people who live in Toronto, York Region, Peel Region, Ottawa, Niagara, and Waterloo.

All of the new confirmed patients, except for a Niagara man in his 80s who has been hospitalized, are recovering in self-isolation. He is the second patient in the province to require hospitalization since the outbreak began.

Twelve of the new patients have a travel history to countries including Egypt, United States and England. Six cases are not listed with specific sources of transmission, but health officials say the investigations into those cases are ongoing.

The total includes a new case that was reported late Thursday -- in Sophie Gregoire Trudeau, the prime minister's wife. Gregoire Trudeau tested positive after exhibiting flu-like symptoms after returning from United Kingdom.

She, along with the prime minister, will remain in self-isolation for 14 days.

There are more than 170 cases of COVID-19 in Canada, including one fatality in British Colombia.

The first presumptive case of COVID-19 was identified in Ontario on  Jan. 25.

The World Health Organization declared the coronavirus a pandemic on Wednesday.

Ontario universities make major changes 

Meanwhile, some of Ontario's largest universities are cancelling in-person classes over COVID-19 concerns.

The University of Toronto, York University, Western University, Carlton University and McMcaster University are among the post-secondary institutions to announce such closures.

Schools are moving classes online and many have cancelled all discretionary events.

In Toronto, a major tourist attraction announced today that it is closing for the next month.

READ MORE: Here's what's cancelled in Toronto amid COVID-19 pandemic

Canada Lands Company, which owns the CN Tower, says it will close tonight and won't reopen until April 14.

Five of Ontario's cases have been resolved, meaning the patients have had two negative tests at least 24 hours apart.

Most people diagnosed with COVID-19 experience mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough, and the vast majority of those who contract the virus recover.

With files from The Canadian Press