Second resident of shelter system dies
Director confident staff doing what they can to limit spread of virus
A second resident of Toronto’s homeless shelter system has died from COVID-19.
The man in his 70s had lived at Seaton House and died in hospital Monday, Dr. Eileen de Villa, the city’s medical officer of health, told a briefing Wednesday on the local emergency response to the virus.
COVID-19 was first detected April 6 at the George Street men’s shelter, the biggest in the city. All residents were tested and 28 who tested positive for COVID-19 were moved to appropriate accommodations, de Villa said.
She offered condolences to family and friends, but no other details about the man.
Mary-Anne Bédard, general manager of the city’s shelter system, said two COVID-19 deaths of homeless people in three days is two too many, but she is confident her staff are doing what they can to limit spread of the virus.
“This is two months into the (COVID-19) response. We’ve moved over 2,500 people in the last few weeks (out of shelters) and, although it is sad, the number of people who have succumbed to the virus is low,” Bédard said.
The first death of a homeless shelter client was last Friday, and reported Monday.
He was identified as Joseph Chibala, 52, by Dixon Hall, where he had been staying since November 2018, until he was tested for COVID-19 in mid-April. Chibala died at Etobicoke General Hospital just days before his 53rd birthday, according a statement from Dixon Hall.
Born in the Republic of Congo, he was well-known to Dixon Hall staff and had spent “many years” in the shelter system in a city he was proud to call home, the statement said. He was a quiet man, respectful and wellliked.
“We will certainly miss his steady smile, his calm demeanour and his gentle presence at our Schoolhouse Shelter,” Dixon Hall said.
The outbreak at that men's’ shelter started in April and was declared over May 5. At the same briefing on Wednesday, Mayor John Tory talked about plans to reopen Toronto after the pandemic subsides, including his desire to let restaurants expand patios into some streets and sidewalks when eateries can resume dinein service.
Tory said expanded patios in select areas, similar to what the city allowed with the King Street pilot project, could allow physical distancing and help restaurateurs financially hurt by COVID-19.
“I think not only could this provide us with a source of more enjoyment this summer, after all we have been through this winter and spring, but also I think that it could be a lifeline for some of the restaurants,” Tory told the Star earlier.