Ontario reports fewer than 150 new COVID-19 cases, 7 additional deaths
Health officials in Ontario are reporting fewer than 150 new cases of COVID-19 Tuesday and seven additional deaths linked to the disease.
The 146 new infections mark an increase over Monday’s total when 114 were logged, which was the lowest daily case count reported since Sept. 1.
The seven additional COVID-19-related deaths bring Ontario’s death toll to 9,258.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, the province has recorded 547,409 COVID-19 infections. Of those cases, 536,603 are considered to be resolved.
The seven-day average for the number of cases reported sits at 170. A week ago, that number was 203.
With 17,489 tests processed in the last 24 hours, the province says that Ontario’s COVID-19 positivity rate is 0.8 per cent.
Right now, the province is reporting 173 patients in hospital with COVID-19. At least 192 of those patients are being treated in intensive care and 123 are breathing with the assistance of a ventilator. The discrepancy in patient data may be explained by a delay in hospital reporting.
Where are the new COVID-19 cases?
Most of the cases reported Tuesday were found in Toronto (43), Waterloo (36), Peel Region (13), and Middlesex-London (10).
At least 15 of the province’s 34 public health units reported no new cases of COVID-19.
The province is set to enter Step 3 of its reopening plan on Friday, which will see all of Ontario operating under the loosest set of public health restrictions in months.
Update on COVID-19 variants of concern
Another 121 cases of COVID-19 variants of concern were reported by Ontario health officials in the last 24 hours.
Of those cases, 31 were of the Alpha variant B.1.1.7, bringing the total number of infections related to that strain to 144,745.
Eight cases of the Beta variant B.1.351 were also detected, which brings its case total to 1,448.
There were 41 new cases reported of both the Gamma variant P.1 and Delta variant B.1.617.2, pushing their case totals to 4,859 and 2,752 respectively.
More than 7 million Ontarians fully vaccinated
The province announced Tuesday that more than seven million residents are now fully vaccinated.
Some 176,000 needles went into arms yesterday alone.
In total, 17,296,458 doses of a COVID-19 vaccine have been administered across Ontario since December.
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
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Suter scores late goal, clinches series for Canucks
Pius Suter scored with 1:39 left and the Vancouver Canucks advanced to the second round of the NHL playoffs with a 1-0 victory over the Nashville Predators on Friday night in Game 6.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.