Ontario reports fewer than 700 new COVID-19 cases for third straight day, 7-day average continues to drop
For the third day in a row Ontario has reported fewer than 700 new COVID-19 infections as the seven-day average of daily cases continues to drop.
Health officials logged 613 new COVID-19 cases on Monday, marking a slight decrease from the 654 cases reported on Sunday, the 640 cases on Saturday and the 727 cases on Friday.
Despite the jump above the 700 mark on Friday, the province’s seven-day average of daily COVID-19 infections continues to drop. As of Monday, the average is 621.
Last week that number was 710.
No new deaths were reported on Monday.
Health Minister Christine Elliott said Monday that of the new infections, 454 people were either not fully vaccinated or had an unknown vaccination status.
With just over 22,600 COVID-19 tests processed in the last 24 hours, the Ministry of Health says the province’s positivity rate is now about two per cent.
Of the at least 184 patients receiving treatment for COVID-19 in intensive care, 130 are breathing with the assistance of a ventilator.
Vaccination data is not available for hospitalizations on Monday due to a lack of reporting over the weekend.
Experts are attributing the flattening of the curve to Ontario’s public health measures. Throughout the summer, the province’s top doctor warned that Ontario could see a surge in COVID-19 cases in the fall after schools resume and more businesses reopen.
While it’s still early, the province does not appear to be seeing such a surge.
Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kieran Moore said last week that he has seen modelling in which there is a significant rise in cases in January and February.
“As we see the virus slowing downing and not able to impact our health sector … I think we’ll slowly pull back on all public health measures over time. But we'll do it in a stepped manner,” he said last week.
Since the pandemic began, Ontario has confirmed 584,541 cases of COVID-19, including 9,704 deaths and 569,211 recoveries.
WHERE ARE THE NEW COVID-19 CASES?
The majority of Monday’s infections were found in the Greater Toronto Area. There were 117 cases in Toronto, 70 in Peel Region and 48 in York Region.
Windsor-Essex reported 45 cases, Ottawa logged 41 cases and Hamilton recorded 46 cases.
Other municipalities reporting more than 20 new infections include Brant (26), Wellington-Guelph-Dufferin (26), Durham (22), and Waterloo (22).
The province also reported an additional 174 school-related cases, with 145 of those infections among students.
A school in Courtice, Ont. has closed after 11 cases were confirmed and an outbreak was declared.
Twenty-eight cases were reported in child-care settings.
VACCINATIONS IN ONTARIO
In the last 24-hour period, the province administered 20,454 doses of COVID-19 vaccine.
More than 10.4 million people have received two shots and are considered fully vaccinated.
On Sept. 22, the Ontario government made it mandatory to be fully vaccinated in order to access certain non-essential services like indoor dining, gyms and movie theatres.
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.