There are now COVID-19 outbreaks at 58 nursing homes and 14 hospitals as the number of confirmed and presumed cases across the province rose to 6,060 with 214 dead.

That’s up 423 cases or 7.5 per cent and an increase of 24 deaths in 24 hours, according to a Star compilation of online reports and press releases from the province’s 34 regional health units as of 5 p.m. Wednesday.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with those who have lost loved ones,” Premier Doug Ford said.

Ontario’s case load and death total have more than doubled since last week at this time.

On a positive note, Ford said there has been an enthusiastic reception for a new website matching health-care workers and volunteers with jobs that need to be filled as the fight against the new coronavirus steps up.

Almost 8,000 people have registered and 1,000 matched with potential positions.

“The response has been absolutely incredible,” Ford told reporters. “We’re going to deploy those workers as soon as possible.”

The latest Ministry of Health statistics, compiled as of 4 p.m. Tuesday, show the nursing home and hospital outbreaks involve 827 and 71 people respectively, affecting a mix of patients and staff.

At least 580 health-care workers have tested positive for COVID-19 to date, including 351 in nursing homes and 33 in hospitals.

Roughly half of Ontario’s deaths involved nursing-home residents or people connected to outbreaks in long-term care.

Fatalities are mostly in those over age 60 but there has been one death in the 20 to 39 age category and nine in the 40 to 59 group.

Cases are spread across all demographic groups, with just 2.4 per cent of cases in those under the age of 19. That rises to 26 per cent for people who are aged 20-39, 35 per cent for those aged 40-59, 24.6 per cent for those 60-79 and almost 12 per cent for Ontarians aged 80 and over.

It’s believed Ontario has hundreds or thousands more people who have contracted COVID-19 than reported because many with mild symptoms have not been tested and have been asked to stay home and self-isolate for 14 days.