44 new coronavirus cases confirmed in Ontario, total now at 258

By News staff

Ontario has confirmed 44 new coronavirus cases in the province, the largest single day increase, bringing the total to 258.

One of new cases today was a man in his 50s who has died. He is the second reported coronavirus-related death in Ontario.

Five cases have been resolved.

The details of many of the patients have not been released, but at least one of the 44 has been hospitalized and 11 are self-isolating.

The man in hospital is in his 80s and is from Durham Region. Officials say there are another 21 people are currently hospitalized, but the number changes frequently.

A number of the new cases are linked to travel, while many are still listed as pending.

A Waterloo woman in her 20s is listed as having close contact and is self-isolating.

Premier Doug Ford stressed it is “critical” that everyone practice social distancing to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus.

“We must do everything possible to avoid a situation where we see a sudden and dramatic spike in the number of cases and as a result add to the already significant burden on our health-care system,” he said.

Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. David Williams the increase of 44 today was not surprising to him, considering the increase in people coming back in Ontario and the increase in reporting and testing being completed. He said it could get up to 50 or 60.

Over 3,900 cases are currently under investigation.

Telehealth Ontario – the service Ontarians are asked to call if they have COVID-19 symptoms – is swamped with calls.

Technical difficulties from Wednesday after 300 new lines were added have now been addressed, and the province has since added 1,300 more lines. The Ministry of Health said there were 13,500 calls made to Telehealth on Wednesday alone.

Told of reports that people are going into work after travelling, Ford urged people to follow public health advice and self-isolate for 14 days upon returning from outside the country.

“Does it come to public shaming by your neighbours or your co-workers? Folks, we’re in a critical situation right now,” he said.

“Do not go into work. Do not go into public spaces. Do not be selfish and go out. Stay isolated for two weeks as we require. We don’t have the resources and the police to be knocking on everyone’s door and saying, ‘Are you staying in?'”

Associate Medical Officer of Health Dr. Barbara Yaffe broke down some of the numbers on Thursday in a press conference. Around 80 per cent of the province’s cases are travel-related – 28 per cent from the U.S. and 26 per cent from Europe. Another 15 per cent account for those with close contact to another case and the other five per cent is still under investigation.

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