COVID-19 Update April 17: Ontario tests almost 9,000 people, reports 564 more cases, 55 more deaths

TORONTO, ON. APRIL 17, 2020 – Today, Ontario reported they completed 8,899 tests were yesterday, whereas the day before they completed 9,001. The province has reported today that they have now conducted 136,992 COVID-19 tests.

The bad news is that there was a 6.3% increase in number of cases as the province reported 564 new cases of COVID-19 as of 10:30 am today. In addition to the new cases, there have been 55 more deaths in Ontario, increasing the province’s death toll to 478.

Province-wide 216 of the 478 deaths have occurred at long-term care centres and the total number of cases in the care homes has risen by 387 to 1,854. Not all of the cases are elderly, as 621 of the confirmed cases are members of staff. There have now been 106 outbreaks in long-term care homes and 29 outbreaks in hospitals.

In terms of true stats from today’s numbers, which are really yesterday’s numbers as of 4 pm, Ontario Public Health officials said today there are 5,993 cases under investigation. The number of hospitalized patients in Ontario due to the virus has jumped by 22, from 807 to 829, while the number of patients in ICU yesterday dropped from 248 to 245. Today, there are 200 patients currently on ventilators, which is the same number as yesterday. 1,068 of the total cases are healthcare workers.

Greater Toronto Area public health units account for 55.6% of cases, of which 1,261 exist in Peel, 355 in Halton, 506 in Durham, 875 in York, 3,145 in Toronto (as of 3:45 pm April 17), and 42.8% of all Ontario cases are 60 years of age or older.

Dr. Eileen de Villa, Toronto’s Medical Officer of Health said today that within the City there are 244 cases hospitalized, and there are 97 in intensive care units. Sadly, de Villa said that 154 people have now died of COVID-19 in our community.

“The province’s plan to expand COVID-19 testing is now underway, and while this is good news, we can expect that our confirmed COVID-19 case numbers will continue to increase,” said Dr. de Villa “

Toronto COVID-19 case data

To-date approximately 23% of our local COVID-19 cases have been among residents over the age of 80 years. But this is not just affecting the elderly as 35% of those who have been hospitalized for COVID-19 are aged 40-59 years, residents of our city who are in the prime of their life.

Also important to note, Dr. de Villa says that “approximately 35% of COVID-19 infections in Toronto are the result of being a close contact of a confirmed case. This trend continues and underscores the need for strict self isolation of everyone who is ill and their close contacts.”

Toronto’s medical officer of health adds that “Staff are working tirelessly to keep our loved ones safe in long-term care and retirement homes. In addition to the measures already in place, new provincial measures including increased testing of staff and residents, and restrictions for staff to only work in only one facility will help reduce the risk of infection.”

Important info for those of you who are self-isolating with COVID-19

The only reason you should be leaving home is to go to a scheduled healthcare appointment or to hospital. If you must do this:
• Do not use public transportation and where possible, it is best if you drive
yourself.
• If driving yourself is not possible, arrange a ride with a friend or family
member.
• If you are unable to arrange a ride, take a taxi or car service. In either case
ensure the windows of the car are open, sit in the back seat and wear a mask,
scarf or face covering over your nose and mouth. If you are travelling by taxi
or car service, record the company name and license plate.
• If you need urgent medical attention, call 911.

Total COVID-19 cases and deaths in Canada Friday, April 17 at 11 am – 30,670 cases 1,250 deaths

Canada has reported a total to 30,670 cases of COVID-19 including 202 more deaths, bringing the national total of deaths up to 1,250. With 630, Quebec has sustained the most COVID-19 related deaths in Canada while Ontario has now had 478 coronavirus-related deaths. British Columbia had two recorded deaths yesterday and now has 77 reported deaths due to COVID-19. Quebec by far is also has the most cases of COVID-19 with 15,857. Ontario is second highest at 9,525 and Alberta is ahead of BC with 2,158 cases while BC now has 1,575. Saskatchewan now has 305 reported cases while the rest of the Canadian provinces have well below 300.

SOURCE Canada.ca

Number of COVID-19 cases and deaths around the world Friday April 17, 2020 6:30 pm

Worldwide today, there was a smaller jump than yesterday with 138,945 more cases today bringing the total up to 2,234,109 cases of COVID-19 as of 6:30 am April 17, 2020 as reported by the Johns Hopkins University. Of those cases there have been 12,606 more deaths since 11:30 am yesterday bringing the death toll to to over one hundred-forty thousand worldwide with 153,379 deaths.

The United States by far has the most cases of COVID-19 worldwide jumping from 645,621 to 666,105 followed by Spain with 188,167 while Italy has the third most cases with 172,434 and Germany has 140,886 reported cases of novel coronavirus. France now has 147,121 cases. The United Kingdom jumped by 5,635 to 109,769. China only reported 357 more cases so they now have 83,760 while Iran now has 79,495. Turkey jumped over 4,000 again to 78,546 cases and Belgium is at 36,138. Meanwhile, Brazil now has 33,682 cases moving back ahead of Netherlands who dripped below both Canada and Russia. Canada follows Brazil now with 32,575 while Russia reported over 4,000 more cases and they now have 32,008. Netherlands is next with 30,619 followed by Switzerland with 27,078 cases. The rest of the world has reported fewer than 20,000 cases of COVID-19.

In terms of deaths, the United States reported 36,607 coronavirus-related deaths. New York City alone has reported 13,202 deaths. Italy has had 22,745 deaths followed by Spain with 19,631, France with 18,681 and then the United Kingdom with 14,576 deaths caused by COVID-19.

More articles from totimes.ca