COVID-19 cases in Ontario remain below 400 for sixth straight day
Ontario is reporting fewer than 400 new cases of COVID-19 for the sixth consecutive day.
The 318 infections logged Sunday mark a decrease from Saturday’s report when 355 were added.
Health officials recorded 345 cases on Friday, 370 on Thursday, 384 on Wednesday and a months-long low of 296 on Tuesday.
Labs across Ontario processed 21,063 COVID-19 tests in the last 24 hours, yielding a positivity rate of 1.7 per cent, according to the Ministry of Health.
The province’s case total now sits at 542,198, including 529,506 recoveries and 9,019 deaths, 12 of which were reported in the previous day.
Sunday’s report brings the seven-day average for the number of cases reported to 359. A week ago, that number was 514.
There are currently 333 patients in intensive care with COVID-19, according to data presented by the province. Of those patients, 208 are on a ventilator.
It should be noted that the total number of hospitalizations stated by the province Sunday is actually lower than that of ICU admissions at 266, which may be due to a delay in patient reporting over the weekend.
Where are the new COVID-19 cases?
Most of the cases reported today were found in Waterloo (51), Peel Region (49), and Toronto (45).
Case numbers in the double digits were also reported in Niagara Region, York Region, Durham Region, Ottawa, and Porcupine Health Unit.
Ontario is currently in Step 1 of its reopening plan, which allows for outdoor gatherings of up to 10 people, patio dining at restaurants, and limited indoor non-essential shopping.
The province is expected to enter Step 2 of its reopening schedule on July 2 at the earliest. At that time, outdoor gatherings of up to 25 people, indoor gatherings of up to 5 people, and personal care services where face coverings can be worn will be permitted.
Update on COVID-19 variants
Another 148 cases of COVID-19 variants were confirmed in Ontario since yesterday.
Of those cases, 127 are the Alpha variant B.1.1.7, first discovered in the U.K., which brings the case total to 142,113.
No new cases of the Beta variant B.1.351, first discovered in South Africa, were recorded. The case total remains at 1,154.
One additional cases of the Gamma variant P.1, first discovered in Brazil, was confirmed, bringing its case total to 4,230.
At least 20 cases of the Delta variant B.1.617.2, discovered in India, were added. There are 751 confirmed infections of the variant in Ontario.
Vaccinations in Ontario
The province said it administered 184,251 doses of COVID-19 vaccine on Saturday.
More than 12,551,000 residents have received a first dose since the vaccination campaign began in December.
That number includes 2,874,280 people who have received both a first and second dose and are considered to be fully vaccinated.
Background
The numbers used in this story are found in the Ontario Ministry of Health's COVID-19 Daily Epidemiologic Summary. The number of cases for any city or region may differ slightly from what is reported by the province, because local units report figures at different times.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
4th Indian national arrested, charged with murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Homicide investigators in B.C. say murder charges have been laid against a fourth Indian national in connection to the killing of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar outside a Surrey gurdwara last year.
Man ticketed after allegedly trespassing again at Drake's Bridle Path mansion to get his bike
A man who tried to access Drake’s Bridle Path mansion earlier this week returned to the property Saturday and was apprehended again for allegedly trespassing, Toronto police say.
Switzerland's Nemo wins 68th Eurovision Song Contest
Swiss singer Nemo won the 68th Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday night with 'The Code,' an operatic ode to the singer’s journey toward embracing their nongender identity.
Wildfire that forced evacuation of Fort Nelson, B.C., caused by tree falling on wires, mayor says
The wildfire that prompted the evacuation of more than 3,000 people near Fort Nelson, B.C., was caused by a tree falling on wires, according to the municipality's mayor.
Couple randomly attacked, 1 stabbed, by group of teens in Toronto, police say
A man has been transported to hospital after police say he was stabbed in a random attack carried out by a group of teens in Toronto on Friday night.
Israel orders new evacuations in Gaza's last refuge of Rafah as it expands military offensive
Israel ordered new evacuations in Gaza's southern city of Rafah on Saturday, forcing tens of thousands more people to leave as it prepared to expand its military operation deeper into what is considered Gaza’s last refuge.
'I am angry': Alberta farmers will continue fight over world class motorsport resort
The rolling hills leading to the hamlet of Rosebud are dotted with sprawling farms and cattle pastures -- and a sign sporting a simple message: No Race Track.
IN PICTURES Northern lights dance across the night sky in southern Ont.
From London, to Grand Bend, Collingwood and Guelph, here are some highlights of Friday night and Saturday morning's northern lights display.
Ron Ellis, who played over 1,000 games with Maple Leafs, dead at 79
Ron Ellis, who played over 1,000 games with the Toronto Maple Leafs and was a member of Canada's team at the 1972 Summit Series, has died at age 79.