Two more residents of Camilla Care Community in Mississauga have died of COVID-19, bringing the coronavirus death toll at the facility to 50.
A spokesperson for the 236-bed long-term care home, located near Hurontario Street and Queensway West, confirmed the new deaths on Saturday.
“We are sadly grieving the loss of the 50 residents who had tested positive for COVID-19 and who passed away since the beginning of the outbreak, throughout the last few weeks,” Natalie Gokchenian, communications director of Camilla Care Community, said in a statement.
“We extend our deepest condolences to the families for their loss. Our thoughts are with their families and loved ones at this time.”
The facility has a total of 161 residents who have tested positive for the virus.
Of those cases, 62 remain active, while 49 have recovered.
In addition, 12 of the 47 staff members who have contracted COVID-19 have recovered.
“We continue to actively retest residents – which is essential in quickly identifying anyone who becomes COVID-19 positive, despite the fact these residents may have tested with negative results previously.
White crosses have been placed outside of the facility that has been ravaged by COVID-19, to remember the residents who have died of the virus.
Families of residents came together Saturday to assemble the crosses, each representing their loved ones.
“I never thought in a million years that I would have to do it this way,” said Alan Guy, whose mother resided at the facility and died of COVID-19.
“You always think differently, but this is a new one for me.”
Guy said he has made funeral arrangements for his mother, Mary, but he said her death has not sunk in yet.
“It’s because maybe I haven’t seen her.”
Carol Francis, whose mother lives in the facility, said it’s hard for her to see the names on the crosses, some of whom she recognized.
“It's very, very sad to see what's happened to these individuals and the fact that they have to die, like this alone without their family is heartbreaking,” Francis said.
She said it has been difficult not to be able to physically visit her mother.
“I visited my mum three days a week to come and see her, touch her, hug her, do her hair, make her feel like she still has some dignity,” Francis said.
“So for about nine days there, it was very difficult because I didn't know whether she was alive or dead because I couldn't get a hold of anybody here.”
The long-term care home is operated by Sienna Senior Living, which also oversees Altamont Care Community, another facility facing a COVID-19 outbreak. As of Saturday, Altamont Care Community reported 46 COVID-19 deaths. A personal support worker who worked at the facility has also died.
Ontario is monitoring 237 outbreaks at long-term care homes, which have resulted in 2,898 confirmed cases among residents and 1,515 confirmed cases among staff.
Nearly 1,200 long-term care residents have died from COVID-19.
