Family members of COVID-19 victims reflect that Ontario reaches 10,000 deaths | The Canadian News

On Tuesday, Ontario reached a grim milestone with the number of reported COVID-19-related deaths in the province reaching 10,000. Global News spoke with relatives of some of those who have passed away and are reflecting on the loss of their loved ones.

Sean Cunnington

In March 2020, Sean Cunnington was the second COVID-19 death reported in the province. Milton’s man was the father of three and passionate about music.

“He was one of the good guys,” said Linda Watson, Cunnington’s wife’s cousin.

“It was full of life. I used to tell dad jokes all the time. He was a musician and had a lot of talent ”.

Cunnington’s death was announced by Halton Region Public Health in March 2020.The department said he was admitted as a patient at Milton District Hospital on March 11. He was transferred to Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital on March 18 and died after arriving early in the day.

Twenty months after his passing, Watson said he still can’t believe how quickly he got sick.

“He was fine one day and I think he got sick on March 4 and by the 18th he was gone, two weeks,” Watson said.

Arlene reid

In April 2020, Arlene Reid also fell ill with COVID-19.

Reid, who was 51 years old, had been working as a personal assistant in the Peel region.

“She was passionate about what she did,” said Marjorie Reid, Arlene Reid’s sister.

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“Arlene loved every minute and she loved working with her clients. … She was the type that would only make you smile. “

Reid was the second personal support worker in Ontario to die of COVID-19.

On April 16, 2020, the first publicly known death of a personal support worker in the province due to COVID-19 was confirmed. Her husband identified her as Christine Mandegarian and she worked at Altamont Care Community, near Port Union Road and Highway 401 in Toronto.

Paul parkes

Paul Parkes was a resident at Orchard Villa, a long-term care facility in the Durham region when he died of COVID-19 and his daughter, Cathy Parkes, said that for the past 20 months, she has reflected on memories with her dad.

“Dad was the person who would come home after a long day at work and take off his shoes, sit on the floor and play with his children,” she said.

“He was passionate about family and gardening.”

Long-term care facilities were severely affected by the pandemic.

According to the Ontario Ministry of Long-Term Care, 3,824 deaths have been reported among residents and patients in long-term care homes in Ontario. Thirteen virus-related deaths have been reported among staff.

On Tuesday, Ontario reported three new COVID-19-related deaths as the number of deaths in the province reached the tragic milestone of 10,000 since the start of the pandemic.

“There are really 10,000 families and friends who are suffering the loss of someone and that expands much more and changes so many lives,” Parkes said.

– With files from Don Mitchell, Jessica Patton and Gabby Rodrigues

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