Skip to content

Newmarket's first COVID-19 death occurs at Southlake

6 new COVID-19 cases mark largest single-day increase for Newmarket
COVID-19
Stock photo

Southlake Regional Health Centre is reporting its first COVID-19 related death, and a third resident of a long-term care home in Markham has also died.

The Newmarket hospital is reporting the patient died yesterday, with further details yet to be provided. York Region public health has no information regarding the Southlake death, according to York Region spokesperson Patrick Casey.

York Region is reporting a seventh fatality, a 68-year-old woman who was a resident at Markhaven Home for Seniors, where a COVID-19 outbreak was declared March 22 and two other residents have died.

The woman, who died March 28, did not have any coronavirus symptoms prior to her death, however, a positive test result was received today, Casey said.

To date, two coronavirus-related deaths have occurred in Vaughan, and five in Markham, the two municipalities where clusters of confirmed cases have been identified. All the individuals have been aged over 70, except for the seventh death that occurred March 28.

The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in York Region has hit 364, with Newmarket seeing its largest single-day increase with six additional cases today, April 2.

The total cases in Newmarket jumped from 18 to 24 today, about seven per cent of the total cases in the region's nine municipalities.

As of yesterday at 4:30 p.m., 10 COVID-19 patients — two of whom are awaiting test results — are in Southlake's ICU. The number of COVID-19 patients in an inpatient unit has increased from one to three, while 12 patients are under investigation. The number of individuals who have tested positive at the assessment centre and are in self-isolation has jumped from 39 to 47 since March 31.

Last week, March 22 to 29, York Region saw its additional cases jump from 60 to 149, while this week, so far, 136 new cases have been confirmed.  

The majority of the cases are now under investigation at 43 per cent, with 41 per cent in self-isolation, six per cent in hospital, and eight per cent resolved.

Of the 364 cases in York Region:

  • 170 are confirmed in Vaughan (+ 13 today);
  • 76 in Markham (+ 8 today);
  • 59 in Richmond Hill (+ 8 today);
  • 24 in Newmarket (+6 today)
  • 12 in Aurora (+ 1 today);
  • 9 in Whitchurch-Stouffville;
  • 7 in King (+ 3 today);
  • 5 in East Gwillimbury;
  • 1 in Georgina.

In York Region, the majority of cases are aged 55 to 64 (24 per cent), followed by 20 to 34-year-olds (19 per cent).


Reader Feedback

Debora Kelly

About the Author: Debora Kelly

Debora Kelly is the editor for AuroraToday and NewmarketToday. She is an award-winning journalist and communications professional who is passionate about building strong communities through engagement, advocacy and partnership.
Read more