3rd personal support worker dies of COVID-19 in Ontario in as many weeks, union says - Action News
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3rd personal support worker dies of COVID-19 in Ontario in as many weeks, union says

A union representing health-care workers in Ontario says a third personal support worker has died in as many weeks.

SEIU Healthcare identifies deceased worker as Sharon Roberts, 59

SEIU Healthcare says workers at Downsview Long-Term Care facility in Toronto have been asking for more personal protective equipment, which is currently being rationed. (CBC)

A union representing health-care workers in Ontario says a third personal support worker has died of COVID-19 in as many weeks.

SEIU Healthcare, which represents more than 60,000 front-line health-care workers in Ontario, told CBC news the deceased worker is Sharon Roberts, 59.

SEIU Healthcare said Roberts workedat the Downsview Long-Term Care facility in Toronto.

The union says workers have been asking for more personal protective equipment (PPE), which is currently being rationed.

New Democrat leader Andrea Horwath expressed her condolences to the worker's family in a newsrelease, sayingthat at least 70 residents and staff at the facility have been infected with COVID-19.

Horwath saidthe province has to step up to provide enough PPE for the workers there.

5,967 cases of COVID-19 in Toronto

As of Saturday afternoon, there are 5,967 cases of COVID-19 in Toronto. These include 5,366 confirmed cases and 601 probable cases.

There are 375 patientshospitalized, with 112 in intensive care units.

To date, 398 people in Toronto have died from COVID-19.

Meanwhile, enforcement of the city's physical distancing bylaw and the province's Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act orders is ongoing.

On Friday, the city received 116 complaints involving people using outdoor amenities or not practising physical distancing in parks. Bylaw and police officers issued one ticket bringing the total number of tickets issued since April 3 to 588. Bylaw and police officers have spoken to more than 13,500 people in city parks about the closures and public health measures.

The city also received 43 complaints on Fridayrelated to non-essential businesses remaining open. Since March 24, Municipal Licensing & Standards and Toronto Public Health have issued 99 tickets and 210 notices to non-essential businesses.

Premier Doug Ford has said the province is fighting two separate battles against COVID-19 in the province: one in long-term care homes and one in the public domain.

With files from Desmond Brown, Angelina King and The Canadian Press