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 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 worked at 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 news release, saying that at least 70 residents and staff at the facility have been infected with COVID-19.

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

5,967 cases of COVID-19 in Toronto

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 Friday related 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.