Dozens of deaths of long term care residents in Ontario during the pandemic appear to have gone unreported.

An analysis of regional health data published in the Toronto Star suggests at least 219 residents have died after contracting COVID-19.

But as of Wednesday morning, Public Health Ontario was reporting 144 residents of Ontario long term care homes had died during confirmed COVID-19 outbreaks.

Experts say having an accurate and timely picture of the virus’ impact in long term care settings is crucial not only for provincial officials, medical workers, and home administrators and staff planning responses to outbreaks, but also residents and their families.

Libby Znaimer will ask Long Term Care Minister Dr. Merilee Fullerton about this on Zoomer Radio’s Fight Back Thursday between noon and 1pm.

Toronto’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Eileen de Villa, says the number of outbreaks at Toronto’s long term care homes has risen to 41, up from 38 on Tuesday. The highest number of deaths reported at any single facility in Toronto is at Eatonville Care Centre in Etobicoke where 30 residents infected with the virus have now died.