Ontario reports over 500 COVID-19 cases in the province, with 6 new cases confirmed in Peel

As testing increases–Dr. Theresa Tam, Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer, says that over 98,000 people in Canada have been tested to date–more cases of COVID-19 are being diagnosed across Ontario.

As of 11:00 am on March 23, Ontario is reporting 503 cases of the novel coronavirus in the province. According to Ontario’s COVID-19 website, eight cases have been resolved and six people have died of the virus. 

The website says 8,417 possible cases are under investigation, while 19,586 people have tested negative. 

On March 22, Toronto Public Health confirmed that a man in his 70s died of the virus at Trillium Health Partners–Mississauga Hospital. He is the first person in Toronto to succumb to the illness. 

A Milton man in his 50s died of the virus last week. 

According to the website, six new cases have been diagnosed in the Region of Peel. According to Peel Public Health’s COVID-19 website (which was updated at 10:00 am on March 23), 38 people have been diagnosed in the region. There are currently 16 cases in Brampton, two in Caledon and 19 in Mississauga. The province’s website indicates that the six new cases in Peel were found in people who recently travelled or were in close contact with a patient.

All are self-isolating. 

The province is reporting two new cases in the Halton Region. According to Halton Region Public Health, there were 12 cases in the region as of 5:30 pm on March 22. The two new cases might not yet be accounted for on the Halton website. 

Of the 12 cases reported by the Halton Region, two cases have been diagnosed in Milton, four in Oakville, five in Burlington and one in Georgetown. 

According to the province, the two new Halton patients recently travelled and are self-isolating. 

The province’s website is reporting three new COVID-19 cases in Hamilton. Two patients were in close contact with another patient and are self-isolating. The cause of the third case, diagnosed in a woman in her 20s, is pending. 

Two are self-isolating. 

As of 12:00 pm on March 22, Hamilton Public Health was reporting 27 cases (so the new numbers from the province are likely not included yet). 

There is evidence of community spread in all three regions.

Residents are reminded to wash their hands frequently and stay home unless it is not possible to do so.