Ontario reports dip in COVID-19 cases after four days above 150 mark
After four straight days of new COVID-19 case counts above 150, the number of infections in Ontario has dipped yet again.
On Monday, health officials reported 119 new cases of COVID-19, as well as three additional deaths related to the disease.
The new infections bring the seven-day rolling average of daily cases to about 157, up slightly from 152 the previous week.
Ontario reported 172 cases on Sunday, 170 on Saturday, 192 on Friday and 185 on Thursday.
Infectious disease expert Dr. Isaac Bogoch told CP24 on Monday that a rise in cases isn’t unexpected as restrictions are eased in Ontario.
"I think whenever you see a rise in cases, whenever you see a bump in the seven-day average, you can never ignore it. It is important to watch obviously [but] you don't panic, you don't have to get too, too, too concerned just yet but you still have to watch it and take it seriously," he said.
"It is probably a real trend, it probably is. I think the question is how big will it get?"
Ontario moved to Step 3 of the province’s reopening plan on July 16, allowing indoor dining to return and facilities like movie theatres and gyms to open their doors.
While cases appeared to be rising for a few days, the number of patients in Ontario’s intensive care units (ICU) continues to decline.
The Ministry of Health says there are 95 people being treated for the disease in the province’s ICUs. However, that number rises to 131 when patients who are still being treated for the after effects of COVID-19 are taken into account.
Seventy-nine are breathing with the assistance of a ventilator.
The total number of lab-confirmed positive COVID-19 cases in Ontario now stands at 549,447, including 9,316 deaths and 538,702 recoveries.
According to the Ministry of Health, with just over 11,900 COVID-19 tests processed in the last 24-hour period, the positivity rate in Ontario now stands at about one per cent.
WHERE ARE THE NEW COVID-19 CASES?
Of the new cases reported on Monday, 22 were located in Toronto, while 15 were in Hamilton, 14 in Waterloo and 13 in Peel Region.
Thirteen public health units reported no cases of COVID-19 while 15 reported fewer than five new infections.
Nineteen additional cases of the Alpha B.1.1.7. variant were identified in lab-positive tests across Ontario in the last 24-hour period. This brings the total number of cases to 145,405.
There were also three more cases of the Delta B.1.617 variant identified in the province.
MORE THAN 8.6 MILLION PEOPLE FULLY VACCINATED
In the last 24-hour period, the province administered 65,920 doses of COVID-19 vaccine.
This brings the total number of shots into arms to just over 19 million.
There are 8,625,932 people who have received both doses of COVID-19 vaccine 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
CFIA monitoring for avian flu in Canadian dairy cattle after U.S. discoveries
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is encouraging veterinarians to keep an eye out for signs of avian influenza in dairy cattle following recent discoveries of cases of the disease in U.S. cow herds.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.
After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
Vancouver firefighter in rehab at home after losing leg to flesh-eating infection overseas
A family trip took a frightening turn for Christopher Won when he was diagnosed with flesh-eating disease while in Hong Kong and now, after weeks of treatment overseas, the Vancouver firefighter is back home recovering.
WATCH Video shows dramatic police takedown of carjacking suspects chased through parking lot north of Toronto
Police have released video footage of a dramatic takedown of a group of teens wanted in connection with an attempted carjacking in Markham earlier this month.
WHO likely to issue wider alert on contaminated cough syrup
The World Health Organization is likely to issue a wider warning about contaminated Johnson and Johnson-made children's cough syrup found in Nigeria last week, it said in an email.
Advocacy groups speak out against domestic violence comments by Nova Scotia minister
Several Nova Scotia groups that assist women are speaking out against comments on domestic violence by Justice Minister Brad Johns, and at least one is calling for his dismissal.