Ontario COVID-19 hospitalizations drop to 1,207, 23 deaths reported
Ontario health officials are reporting 1,207 patients in hospital with COVID-19, along with 168 patients in intensive care units (ICU).
This marks a decrease in hospitalizations over Wednesday's 1,248 patients, while ICU capacity has increased day-over-day.
The province is also reporting 23 new deaths related to the virus Thursday. Twenty of the deaths occured in the last month, while three took place more than thirty days ago.
Of Thursday’s hospitalizations, 132 patients are unvaccinated and 786 are fully vaccinated. The vaccination status of the remaining patients is partial or unknown.
Thirty-nine per cent of patients hospitalized were admitted for COVID-19, while the remaining 61 per cent tested positive after an unrelated admission. In ICUs, those percentages are 62 per cent and 38 per cent, respectively.
Of the patients currently being treated for COVID-19 in Ontario ICUs, 22 are unvaccinated and 74 are fully vaccinated. The vaccination status of the remaining patients is partial or unknown.
The province reported 1,565 new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday, but health officials have warned that case numbers are a significant underestimation due to testing limitations.
With 15,462 tests processed in the last 24 hours, the Ministry of Health is reporting a positivity rating of at least 9.6 per cent. Ontario's positivity rate hasn't been this low since February.
Today's report brings the total number of lab-confirmed cases in Ontario to 1,291,814.
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.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
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.
Five areas Canada's foreign interference commissioner says needs more investigation
Commissioner Marie-Josee Hogue released her interim report examining foreign election interference on Friday. Here are five elements of the issue that Hogue says she needs to further probe before she can make conclusions or recommendations.
Police officer hit by driver of fleeing vehicle in Toronto
York Regional Police say they are continuing to search for a suspect in an auto theft investigation who was captured on video running over a police officer in Toronto last month.
Why your airfare may be getting more expensive
Skyrocketing airfare prices are linked to heightened competition and rising food and fuel, according to the CAA.
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.
New weight-loss drug Wegovy not a 'magic bullet,' doctor warns
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.
Funeral today for broadcasting legend and voice of 'Hockey Night in Canada' Bob Cole
A funeral is being held today for hockey broadcasting legend Bob Cole in his hometown of St. John's, N.L.
Foreign meddling 'did not affect' overall federal election results: inquiry report
Foreign interference by China did not affect the overall results of the 2019 and 2021 general elections won by Justin Trudeau's Liberals, a federal commission of inquiry has found.