25% of Toronto adults are fully vaccinated against COVID-19; 75% received first dose
It’s a two-dose summer for at least 25 per cent of adults in Toronto so far.
The city marked two COVID-19 vaccine milestones on Saturday as one in four adults are now fully vaccinated against the disease and 75 per cent have received their first dose.
Mayor John Tory congratulated the city on its achievements while visiting a pop-up vaccine clinic at Varsity Stadium on Saturday.
“This is a significant accomplishment and I want to express my thanks to all of the health partners, to the people on the city staff, Toronto Public Health, all of those involved in setting up all the different clinics,” Tory said.
The city has administered more than 2.9 million COVID-19 doses since mid-December.
As of Friday evening, more than 808,800 people have booked a COVID-19 appointment at a city-run clinic.
Although the vaccine milestones are significant, Tory said the city isn’t out of the woods yet as the highly-contagious Delta variant is spreading throughout the province.
“If we want to make sure that the Delta variant does not get an upper hand on us, the best thing we can do to make sure of that is to take what is 75 per cent first dose and 25 per cent second doses as of today, a big accomplishment, and push those numbers up even higher. But that relies on people out there, people of the city, residents in the city of Toronto, to get vaccinated,” Tory said.
With more vaccine supply coming into the province, the city is adding 90,000 more vaccine appointments over the next two weeks.
Yesterday, Toronto added 30,000 appointments for the Moderna vaccine at city run clinics and 60,000 more appointments will be available on Monday. Residents can book these appointments on the provincial government’s booking website.
As Toronto is making significant strides in its vaccination program, Ontario is on its way to entering Step 2 of its reopening plan by Canada Day long weekend.
This week, provincial health officials announced that 20 per cent of Ontarians have received two doses of COVID-19 vaccines and 75 per cent have received one dose.
These metrics meet Ontario’s criteria to enter Step 2 of the reopening plan, however, according to the plan the province must stay in each step for 21 days before proceeding to the next level. This means that the province won’t be eligible to move into the next step until July 2 unless the government approves a faster date.
On Wednesday, Premier Doug Ford said he will be speaking with health officials about possibly reopening earlier than planned.
“I'll be sitting down with the health table and Dr. Williams, and we'll make that decision. But no one in this province wants to open up quicker than I do,” Ford said. “I just can't wait. People are ready. Everyone has worked really, really hard.”
Ontario entered Step 1 on June 11, which allowed patios to open and non-essential retail to operate with capacity limits.
Step 2 will increase retail capacity sizes, allow indoor gatherings up to five people and expand outdoor gatherings to 25 people.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Pearson gold heist suspect arrested after flying into Toronto from India
Another suspect is in custody in connection with the gold heist at Toronto Pearson International Airport last year, police say.
Justin and Hailey Bieber are expecting their first child together
Hailey and Justin Bieber are going to be parents. The couple announced the news on Thursday on Instagram, both sharing a video that showcases Hailey Bieber's growing belly.
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
B.C. man used Bobcat as 'weapon' while chasing away homeless people, judge says
A B.C. man has been convicted of assault with a weapon after using a skid-steer Bobcat to chase two homeless people from his lawn, injuring one of them in the process.
Debate on abortion rights erupts on Parliament Hill, Poilievre vows he won't legislate
A Conservative government led by Pierre Poilievre would not legislate on, nor use the notwithstanding clause, on abortion, his office says, as anti-abortion protesters gather on Parliament Hill.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Miss Teen USA steps down just days after Miss USA's resignation
Miss Teen USA resigned Wednesday, sending further shock waves through the pageant community just days after Miss USA said she would relinquish her crown.
'Nobody should be getting away with murder': Grieving mother speaks out after son killed in North Preston, N.S.
A grieving mother is speaking out after her 36-year-old son was shot and killed in North Preston, N.S., Wednesday night.
Toronto-area dessert shop featured by Keith Lee forced to move after zoning complaint
A small Ajax dessert shop that recently received a glowing review from celebrity food critic Keith Lee is being forced to move after a zoning complaint was made following the social media influencer’s visit last month.