Toronto police have issued a public safety warning after two suspected overdose deaths in a five-day period.

Between April 23 and Monday, police said they responded to several reports of people who fell ill after taking an unknown narcotic in the downtown area. Two people died in private residences, police said.

Police would not confirm the total number of people who got sick, except to say that multiple naloxone treatments were given.

Toronto police reminded residents who are using drugs to be extremely cautious, and not to take them alone.

The deaths come as Toronto recorded 19 overdose deaths last month, its highest number of monthly overdose deaths since 22 in March 2019.

There were 345 suspected opioid overdose calls to paramedics last month, according to Toronto Public Health.

Addictions experts say reduced access to services due to COVID-19 and an ongoing surge in contaminated illicit drugs is further straining an already underserved sector.

“If anyone encounters serious physical illness after consuming a narcotic, they are advised to attend a hospital emergency room or walk-in clinic immediately for treatment,” police said in a statement.