The cause of the outbreak at the Seven Oaks Home for the Aged remains unknown, although officials insist the illness is winding down and only confined to the nursing home.
Thirty-eight people remain hospitalized with the illness, and officials fear many of them are too weak to fully recover. Another 88 residents, employees and visitors have been affected.
During a news briefing, Dr. David McKeown, the city's medical officer of health, says,"The outbreak is confined to residents and staff and people closely associated with this one facility, so it's not a general public health risk."
He says all the deaths have been among the mostly frail and elderly residents.
The latest victims were three men, aged 84, 75, 89 and three women aged 96, 92, 85."
Officials have ruled out SARS, avian flu, Legionnaire's disease and influenza A and B.
Ontario Health Minister George Smitherman says there is no evidence suggesting the outbreak had spread beyond Seven Oaks and notes respiratory illnesses are common among vulnerable groups such as the elderly.
