Two more residents of Participation House in Markham have died from COVID-19, Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti says.

Forty of the 42 residents at the facility for physically and mentally challenged adults have tested positive for the novel coronavirus.

As of Tuesday morning, 38 health care workers at the facility have tested positive for the virus.

“Our deepest condolences to the families of two @PHMarkham residents who passed away, bringing the total number of deaths to six,” Scarpitti tweeted Tuesday. “Our hearts, thoughts and prayers are with their loved ones and their Participation House family. We are respecting their privacy at this time.”

The facility has struggled with understaffing after most of its personal support workers walked off the job, fearing for their safety when they learned of an outbreak this month.

As of Monday evening, York Region has reported 87 COVID-19 related deaths.

The fifth Participation House resident to die reportedly experienced onset symptoms on April 15, and received a positive test result on April 17. That resident died Friday at Markham’s Stouffville Hospital, according to the region’s public health unit.

Margaryta Ignatenko is a breaking news reporter, working out of the Star’s radio room in Toronto. Follow her on Twitter: @MargarytaIgnat1

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