Just over 150 new COVID-19 cases logged in Ontario as 7-day average rises
Ontario is reporting just over 150 new cases of COVID-19 as the seven-day rolling average of daily infections continues to rise.
On Wednesday, health officials logged 158 new cases of the novel coronavirus, as well as four additional deaths related to the disease.
There were 127 infections reported on Tuesday, 119 on Monday and 172 on Sunday.
The seven-day rolling average of daily COVID-19 cases now stands at about 160, up from 155 the previous week.
The seven-day average has been creeping up following four days in which the daily case count was above the 150 mark.
With just over 20,500 COVID-19 tests processed in the last 24-hours, the Ministry of Health says that the province’s positivity rate now stands at about 0.8 per cent.
The deaths reported Wednesday bring the province’s death toll related to COVID-19 to 9,325.
According to the province, there are 122 patients in Ontario intensive care units as a result of COVID-19. Of those patients, 83 are breathing with the assistance of a ventilator.
In total, there have been 549,734 lab-confirmed cases of COVID-19 identified in Ontario, including deaths and recoveries.
WHERE ARE THE COVID-19 CASES?
The majority of new infections are found in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area.
There are 25 cases in Toronto, 19 in York Region, 19 in Waterloo, 15 in Hamilton, 13 in Durham Region and 10 in Peel Region.
Eleven public health units are reporting no new cases of COVID-19, while all other municipalities have logged fewer than 10 infections.
SIGNIFICANT JUMP IN DELTA VARIANT
On Wednesday, the province reported an additional 123 cases of the Delta B. 1617.2 variant in lab-confirmed cases of COVID-19. This brings the total number of Delta variant cases in Ontario to 4,044.
Ontario health officials also reporte62 more cases of the Alpha B.1.1.7. variant and 17 cases of the Gamma P.1. variant.
In total, there are 156,169 lab-confirmed cases involving variants of concern identified in Ontario.
Chief medical officer of health Dr. Kieran Moore said on Tuesday the Delta variant is expected to cause a rise in cases over the next few months and that vaccination is critical to reduce hospitalizations and deaths.
He added that the risk of getting the disease is 6.4 times higher for unvaccinated people.
In the last 24 hours, 94,116 doses of COVID-19 vaccine were administered to eligible Ontarians.
More than 8.7 million people have received two shots and are considered 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
NEW From yearning for a change to cost of living, why some Canadians have left or may leave the country
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
NEW Capital gains tax change 'shortsighted' and 'sows division' business groups tell Freeland
Forging ahead with increasing Canada's capital gains inclusion rate 'sows division,' and is a 'shortsighted' way to improve the deficit, business groups are warning Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.
Florida deputies who fatally shot U.S. airman burst into wrong apartment, attorney says
Deputies responding to a disturbance call at a Florida apartment complex burst into the wrong unit and fatally shot a Black U.S. Air Force airman who was home alone when they saw he was armed with a gun, an attorney for the man's family said Wednesday.
Air Canada ranks near bottom on customer satisfaction: survey
Air Canada ranks below most other major North American airlines on customer satisfaction, with airfares a particular sore point, according to a new survey.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his brain more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.