Ontario reports 56 more COVID-19 deaths in past week, rise in positivity rate
Ontario is reporting a total of 56 more COVID-19 deaths from a week ago as the province's health-care system continues to cope with staffing shortages and burnout amid a seventh wave of the virus.
Those deaths, which occurred over the past 30 days, raise the province’s virus-related death toll to 13,869, according to the Ministry of Health’s latest COVID-19 data released Thursday.
Twenty-two of those deaths were among long-term care home residents.
The ministry says there are currently a total of 1,328 patients hospitalized with the virus in Ontario, down from 1,382 a week ago.
Of those in hospital, 137 are in intensive care and 54 are breathing with the help of a ventilator.
The ministry says over 38 per cent of hospital patients were admitted for COVID-related reasons, while 62 were admitted for other reasons but subsequently tested positive for the virus.
Meanwhile, 60 per cent of ICU patients were admitted for the virus and 40 per cent were admitted for other reasons but tested positive.
Ontario labs processed over 10,800 tests in the past 24 hours, resulting in a positivity rate of 14.7 per cent, up from 13.4 per cent a week ago.
On Thursday, the province announced its next phase of its "Plan to Stay Open," which focuses on health-care stability and recovery.
The plan comes as hospitals have been dealing with staff shortages and burnout for the past few months, primarily due to a rise in COVID-19 infections.
The plan includes adding 6,000 more health-care workers to Ontario’s overall health-care system, freeing up hospital beds and investing in private clinic surgeries.
In late July, the province expanded vaccine eligibility to children aged six months to five years old shortly after Health Canada approved Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine for infants and preschoolers.
Earlier in July, the province also expanded fourth doses, or second booster shots, to all adults in the province.
On Wednesday, the province administered a total of 24,778 shots into arms with a total of over 34.5 million doses administered since vaccines began to roll out in Dec. 2020.
To date, 90 per cent of Ontarians aged five years and older have received one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, 87 per cent have received two doses and 53 per cent have received three doses.
Background
The numbers used in this story are found in the Ontario Ministry of Health's COVID-19 Data Catalogue. 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
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
opinion I've been a criminal attorney for decades. Here's what I think about the case against Trump
Joey Jackson, a criminal defence attorney and a legal analyst for CNN, outlines what he thinks about the criminal case against Donald Trump in the 'hush money trial.'
$3.8M home in B.C.'s Okanagan has steel shell for extra wildfire protection
A home in B.C.'s Okanagan that features a weathering steel shell designed to provide some protection against wildfires has been listed for sale at $3.8 million.
Diver pinned under water by an alligator figured he had choice. Lose his arm or lose his life
An alligator attacked a diver on April 15 as he surfaced from his dive, nearly out of air. His tank emptied with the gator's jaws crushing the arm he put up in defence.
Psychologist becomes first person in Peru to die by euthanasia after fighting in court for years
A Peruvian psychologist who suffered from an incurable disease that weakened her muscles and had her confined to her bed for several years, died by euthanasia, her lawyer said Monday, becoming the first person in the country to obtain the right to die with medical assistance.
Mystery surrounds giant custom Canucks jerseys worn by Lions Gate Bridge statues
The giant stone statues guarding the Lions Gate Bridge have been dressed in custom Vancouver Canucks jerseys as the NHL playoffs get underway.
Celebrity designer sentenced to 18 months in prison for smuggling crocodile handbags
A leading fashion designer whose accessories were used by celebrities from Britney Spears to the cast of the 'Sex and the City' TV series was sentenced Monday to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty in Miami federal court on charges of smuggling crocodile handbags from her native Colombia.
Wildfire leads to evacuation order issued for northeast Alberta community
An evacuation order was issued on Monday afternoon for homes in the area of Cold Lake First Nation.