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TORONTO — Another 27 people with COVID-19 have died in Ontario, where the total number of cases surged to at least 3,630 as another provincewide alert went out on Saturday telling people to stay home if at all possible.

The province has now had at least 94 known coronavirus deaths, far more than any other province, although Quebec has reported many more cases. Ontario has projected between 3,000 and 15,000 lives could be lost to the pandemic even with stiff stay-home restrictions.

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Premier Doug Ford said again on Saturday only essential workers should go out unless it’s for getting groceries or other absolutely necessary reasons. To drive home the message, Ford announced another emergency alert would go out.

“We all know now that tens of thousands of lives are at stake,” Ford said. “We are in the fight of our lives.”

Shortly after 2 p.m., the alert was issued in English and French, warning people that ignoring self-isolation and physical distancing could have “devastating effects” and put lives at risk.