The executive director of a long-term care home in Toronto’s west end says 25 residents have died to date due to coronavirus.

Evelyn MacDonald, executive director of the Eatonville Care Centre, said in a statement Monday evening that there have been a total of 49 confirmed cases and six test results are pending.

“Today’s increase in our COVID-associated deaths is a reflection of changes in provincial testing criteria. Public Health has confirmed that nine residents, who had previously passed away due to unknown causes, have now been attributed to COVID-19,” she said, noting the figure doesn’t represent new COVID-19-related deaths.

“I want to thank the families of our residents for their patience and understanding. These losses are felt by everyone and I understand that this is an extremely difficult and uncertain time for our community and for their loved ones.

“With that, I want to thank our front-line staff for their perseverance, dedication and compassionate care.”

MacDonald said it’s there will likely be another increase in positive cases pending additional confirmations of those who have symptoms, noting testing criteria was recently expanded.

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“I want to assure the community that we have taken the same precautions with these residents as with COVID-19-confirmed residents,” she wrote.

“This information will help us as we continue to work closely with public health to take steps to manage this outbreak appropriately.

Earlier on Monday, Ontario’s associate chief medical officer of health said at least 89 long-term care homes across the province have outbreaks of COVID-19. She said as it relates to those outbreaks, 120 residents have died.

As of Monday morning, the Ontario government said there were 7,470 cases of COVID-19 in the province. In total, 291 Ontario residents have died and 3,357 cases have been deemed resolved.

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