21 more COVID-19 deaths in Ontario; case total increases by 379

Dr. Sharkawy urges more restrictions as cases rise Infectious diseases specialist Dr. Abdu Sharkawy discusses new measures governments should take to curb the spread of COVID-19.

TORONTO — Twenty-one more deaths linked to COVID-19 were confirmed by Ontario health officials Tuesday morning, as 379 additional cases of the novel coronavirus were announced.

The total number of cases in the province is now 4,726, including 153 deceased patients.

Nine of those who have died of the novel coronavirus in the province were between the ages of 40 and 59. Fifty-two other deceased patients were between the ages of 60 and 79 and the remaining 92 were 80 years of age or older.

These numbers are based off data inputted into the province’s integrated Public Health System (iPHIS) as of Monday at 4 p.m.

Data gathered by CTV News Toronto and CP24 on Tuesday afternoon from all of Ontario’s 34 local public health units shows the provincial death toll is 189.

The number reported by the province through iPHIS and the number collectively being reported by all local public health units has previously been off by nearly 50 per cent, but is now much closer.

In Ontario, there are currently 614 people in hospital with COVID-19. Of those patients, 233 of them are receiving treatment in an intensive care unit and 187 of those 233 patients are on ventilators to assist with breathing.

Provincial health officials also stated that 513 of all Ontario patients are health care workers – 10.9 per cent of cases.

Quick facts on all COVID-19 patients in Ontario:

Nearly 700 Ontario patients under investigation for COVID-19

There are currently an additional 691 people under investigation for the virus.

This number is nearly double Monday’s tally – 329 – but is still down significantly from last week when thousands of people were awaiting tests results in Ontario. Health officials across the province have been working to clear a large backlog of tests since then.

On Monday afternoon, Ontario’s Associate Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Barbara Yaffe said the province had processed about 3,500 tests in the past 24 hours, adding that the goal is to be able to complete 19,000 tests a day by mid-April.

The number of resolved cases in the province now sits at 1,802.

To date, more than 81,000 people have been tested for COVID-19 across the province.

There are no specific treatments for the virus and there is no vaccine that protects against it.

Symptoms of the virus, which can include fever, cough and shortness of breath, are similar to other respiratory infections.

The Ontario government’s website advises those experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 to contact their primary health care provider or Telehealth Ontario.