TORONTO -- Five residents have died at a long-term care home in North York, where a COVID-19 outbreak was first reported nearly two weeks ago.
Chartwell Gibson Long Term Care Residence on Steeles Avenue confirmed the fatalities in a memo sent to the families of its residents on Saturday.
It said that there are now a total of 22 residents who have tested positive for the virus, though it said that the number of new cases appears to be “slowing down.”
“We are sad to say that five of our residents have passed away that were COVID-19 positive. Our thoughts and condolences are with these families, as well as all families as this is difficult to hear,” the memo reads.
There are currently 86 outbreaks at long-term care homes in Ontario, including the one at Chartwell Gibson Long Term Care Residence.
So far, 114 long-term care home residents have died as a result of the outbreaks.
In the memo, Chartwell Gibson Long Term Care Residence said that is now requiring all residents to remain in their rooms and not move around within the building.
It said that staff are also performing respiratory checks on residents twice daily.
“We know you are concerned for your loved one and how hard it is to be separated at a time like this,” the memo states. “Please know how hard our staff are working to be there for your loved ones, not just for care, but also with compassion, support and kindness knowing how especially hard it is for them to be missing you as well.”
Lea Alicandro said she was shocked when her family got an email from Chartwell that there have been fatalities and several COVID-19 cases in the home where her 94-year-old grandmother resides.
Alicandro said her biggest concern is if her grandmother is still being cared for despite the outbreak in the residence.
“We just want to make sure that the residents there that are not testing positive are still receiving adequate care,” she said. “I can’t even imagine what it’s like for the healthcare workers there.”
Alicandro said her family is lucky because her grandmother is living on the first floor so they can see through her window.
“And we had a video of her today, so she looks like she’s in good spirit, which is reassuring because we can’t go in, and you can’t see them,” she said.
“We’re just trying to take it one day at a time.”
For Ginny Micheli, who visited her mom at the long-term home on Sunday with her son, life has been different since the coronavirus crisis happened.
Micheli said she would typically go inside the facility and do things with her mom, who, but now, she is limited to one option – waving through the window.
“The whole thing is scary,” she said. “But, she’s such a warrior, my mother.”
She is also worried for the staff at the home, Micheli said, adding that they are doing a terrific job amidst the outbreak.
Micheli said it’s been hard for her not to see her mom up close for the past five weeks. However, she said every time her mother’s temperature is taken, and she sees a thumbs up from staff, she is relieved.
“She still waves. She still smiles,” Micheli said.
COVID-19 deaths reported in Ajax residence
A spokesperson for Chartwell said four residents at Chartwell Ballycliffe Long-Term Care in Ajax have died due to COVID-19.
There are 16 residents at the home, located near Highway 401 and Hardwood Avenue, have contracted the virus, the spokesperson, adding that nine staff members have the virus.
"Our sympathies are extended to the family and loved ones of these individuals. We are also very aware of how upsetting this is for all families with loved ones in this home," Chartwell said in a statement.
According to a post on their website, 14 other Chartwell residences across the province have one or more confirmed cases of COVID-19.
