Ontario reports another drop in new COVID-19 cases with 574 infections logged
For the fourth day in a row, Ontario is seeing a decrease in the number of new COVID-19 cases reported.
On Tuesday, health officials logged 574 infections after logging 610 cases a day earlier. Over the weekend, Ontario reported 715 and 821 infections on Sunday and Saturday, respectively.
Of the cases reported today, 434 were found in individuals who are not fully vaccinated or have an unknown vaccination status and 140 are in fully vaccinated individuals.
Right now, there are 330 people hospitalized with COVID-19, including 303 patients who are not fully vaccinated or have an unknown vaccination status and 27 are fully vaccinated.
As well, of the 179 people in ICU with COVID-19, at least 170 are not fully vaccinated or have an unknown vaccination status and nine are fully vaccinated.
This brings the seven-day average for the number of cases reported to 710, which represents a drop from the 716 seen a week earlier.
With 23,631 tests processed in the last 24 hours, Ontario’s COVID-19 positivity rate is 2.4 per cent, according to the Ministry of Health.
Eight more deaths related to COVID-19 were also included in Tuesday’s report, pushing the province’s death toll to 9,663.
The total number of lab-confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ontario stands at 580,768, including deaths and 564,927 recoveries.
In less than 24 hours, the province’s vaccine certificate program will go in effect, meaning people will need to show proof of vaccination before engaging in non-essential activities like eating indoors at a restaurant, watching a movie at a theatre, or working out at a gym.
Proof of vaccination won’t be required to access essential services like medical care, grocery stores, and basic medical supplies. Moreover, you won't need to show a vaccination certificate when accessing salons and barbershops, places of worship, and retail shopping.
READ MORE: This is where you need and don't need proof of vaccination in Ontario
Where are the new COVID-19 cases?
The province reported the highest COVID-19 case numbers Tuesday in Toronto (104), Peel Region (80), and Ottawa (58).
Other regions with case numbers in the double digits include York Region (44), Niagara Region (39), Windsor-Essex (34), and Halton Region (31).
At least 293 cases of COVID-19 were documented in schools across Ontario Tuesday. Those cases include 265 infections in students and 22 in staff members. The remaining six cases were not identified by the province.
There are 4,844 schools in Ontario and 593 (12.24 per cent) have a reported case of the disease. Only one school is closed as a result.
Nearly 200 cases of Delta variant confirmed
In the last 24 hours, Ontario labs confirmed 189 additional cases of the COVID-19 variant B.1.617.2.
Since the province began tracking variants of concern in February, 16,944 cases of the Delta variant have been confirmed through genomic sequencing.
No new cases of the Alpha, Beta, or Gamma variant were reported by health officials Tuesday.
Update on COVID-19 vaccinations
Health Minister Christine Elliott says that nearly 85.2 per cent of eligible Ontarians have received at least one shot of a COVID-19 vaccine and 79.2 per cent have two doses and are considered to be fully vaccinated.
In total, 21,434,434 needles have gone into arms across Ontario, including 30,072 shots administered on Monday.
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.