Four COVID-19 deaths reported at East York long-term care home

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Four residents of St. Clair O'Connor Community long-term care home have died of COVID-19 in recent days, the home's CEO told CP24 on Saturday.

Mary Hoare said four residents of the 25-bed long-term care portion of the facility located at 2701 St. Clair Avenue East have died due to COVID-19 infection. She said the residents were between the ages of 85 and 91.

Hoare said a COVID-19 outbreak was declared in the unit on March 22 after residents tested positive.

Fourteen residents have been tested and waiting for the results after showing virus symptoms, Hoare said.

"And we're hoping that we're going to be able to manage should the 14 residents that were swabbed have a positive test," she said, adding that sending seniors to a hospital and looking at the possibility of ventilation is not in their best interest.

Hoare said the home has been working closely with Michael Garron Hospital, which has provided them equipment staff.

"They've taught us how to do hypodermoclysis, which is a way to hydrate dehydrated residents, and we're working together to try to prevent those people from having to go to hospitals so that we can care for them in the home," she said.

Hoare said the relatives of the four residents were able to say their final goodbyes.

"It's really difficult because we've known them for so long, and they're like our grandparents, you know, so it's very hard," she said.

In addition to the residents, seven staff have also tested positive for COVID-19. They are all on self-isolation.

Hoare said the deaths are not tied to the 119 live-in units that are also under her supervision.

Ontario said there are at least 36 outbreaks of COVID-19 in long-term care homes across the province.