Send this page to someone via email

A massive COVID-19 outbreak that’s sickened all but five residents of an Ontario group home for adults with disabilities has now turned deadly.

The family of resident Martin Frogley says he died in a Markham, Ont., hospital early Wednesday morning.

A family statement says he “passed peacefully” listening to music he loved.

READ MORE: ‘Critical’ staffing levels remain at Markham group home where most staff walked out

Frogley was one of 42 people with either a physical or intellectual disability living at Participation House, a facility where a major outbreak of the novel coronavirus has caused chaos in recent days.

Global News also learned Wednesday Patty Baird, whose family shared her story on Tuesday, also passed away.

Story continues below advertisement

The Markham Stouffville Hospital, which is assisting the home, says 37 of the 42 residents have tested positive for COVID-19, and at least 13 staff are also infected.

WATCH: The family of Martin Frogley, the first #COVID19 victim to die at Markham’s Participation House, have shared this touching tribute video with me in honour of his memory.

Here’s more info: https://t.co/RI7baxY1Ld #covid19on #covid19ontario pic.twitter.com/7m6WoUCO6q — Kamil Karamali (@KamilKaramali) April 16, 2020

Last week most of the employees stopped working, a situation the union representing them has now attributed to a growing number of positive tests and public health guidance that advised them to stay away from the facility.

Frogley’s family did not comment on the unfolding situation at Participation House, reflecting only on his memory while requesting privacy as they grieve his death.

“He was a wonderful son, uncle and the best brother anyone could ever ask for,” the family said in a statement.

Story continues below advertisement

2:52 Coronavirus: Cases surge at Markham care home where staff walked out Coronavirus: Cases surge at Markham care home where staff walked out

They thanked Participation House employees for what they described as “exceptional care,” as well as the hospital staff who tended to him in his final days.

[ Sign up for our Health IQ newsletter for the latest coronavirus updates ]

Earlier this week, Participation House Executive Director Shelley Brillinger said a resident had been taken to hospital on the weekend. She said at the time he was “holding his own,” but provided no other details.

The staffing shortage, which triggered pleas for help from municipal and provincial politicians and prompted former federal health minister Dr. Jane Philpott to start providing medical care at the home, began last week when the outbreak was first announced.

At that point, at least 10 residents and two staff members were confirmed to have tested positive for COVID-19.

1:17 Coronavirus outbreak: Ontario government announces enhanced safety measures for long-term care facilities amid COVID-19 pandemic Coronavirus outbreak: Ontario government announces enhanced safety measures for long-term care facilities amid COVID-19 pandemic

It was widely reported that the ensuing shortage was caused by employees walking off the job, but the union representing Participation House staff says the situation was caused instead by employees following widely recommended public health advice.

Story continues below advertisement

Tom Galivan, secretary-treasurer of The Service Employees International Union Local Two, said the home had been experiencing staffing shortages for months prior to the pandemic. On Thursday, he said employees staff learned that positive cases had surfaced among residents and were advised to get tested immediately.

“The current staffing challenges are rooted in the fact that 30 per cent of the workforce has tested positive or is awaiting test results,” he said, noting public health officials have advised those with possible COVID-19 exposure to self-isolate at once.

0:50 Coronavirus: Family reacts after staff at Markham home for adults walk off job Coronavirus: Family reacts after staff at Markham home for adults walk off job

Galivan said another large swath of the staff had previously been working at multiple long-term care facilities in order to make ends meet, but were advised to stay at one workplace in order to curb the spread of the virus. Premier Doug Ford announced a provincial measure to the same effect on Wednesday.

Story continues below advertisement

Since last week, the outbreak has spread to 27 more residents and 11 more staff, a development the home described as “very upsetting.”

“Our hearts go out to the residents and their families as we face this challenge,” Brillinger said in a statement released on Tuesday. “I want to reassure our residents and their families that, with the support of the hospital, we are providing the care that is needed.”

The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a particularly heavy toll on long-term care homes across the country, and Ontario is no exception.

At least 98 facilities have reported outbreaks, and the 145 deaths in those homes account for nearly 40 per cent of the 385 total deaths in the province to date.

The grim situation prompted Ford to acknowledge shortcomings in the province’s long-term care system as he announced emergency measures intended to address the outbreaks in those centres.

Story continues below advertisement

“There’s cracks,” Ford said after announcing additional testing and infection control measures. “We have to raise the standards…This is a wake-up call to the world, not just Ontario.”

— With files from Ryan Rocca

Some heartbreaking news. 💔 Patty Baird, a resident of Markham’s Participation House, has now passed away after testing positive for #COVID19. She’s the second death at the care home related to the virus. #covid19on #covid19ontario pic.twitter.com/WAw9qB3paa — Kamil Karamali (@KamilKaramali) April 15, 2020