Ontario reports more than 250 new COVID-19 cases, 6 additional deaths
Ontario is reporting more than 250 new COVID-19 cases for the first time since Canada Day.
On Saturday, health officials logged an additional 258 infections, marking the third day in which the daily COVID-19 case count has been above 200.
The number of infections has been climbing daily over the last week. Officials reported 226 cases on Friday, 218 on Thursday, 158 on Wednesday and 127 on Tuesday.
The seven-day rolling average of daily COVID-19 cases now stands at about 183. One week ago that number was 159.
The last time more than 250 COVID-19 cases were reported in Ontario was on July 1, when 284 infections were logged.
With just over 19,100 tests processed in the last 24 hours, the Ministry of Health says the positivity rate now stands at about 1.2 per cent.
Six more deaths related to the disease were also reported on Saturday, bringing the death toll to 9,345.
The number of patients in Ontario intensive care units as a result of COVID-19 continues to decline. As of Saturday, the province says there are 112 people being treated for COVID-19 in the ICU.
In total, Ontario officials have identified 550,436 lab-confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the province, including deaths and recoveries.
WHERE ARE THE COVID-19 CASES?
The majority of the new infections can be found in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton area.
According to the province’s epidemiology report, there are 53 cases in Toronto, 33 in York Region, 28 in Waterloo, 27 in Hamilton, 26 in Peel Region, 22 in Durham, 12 in Halton Region, and 11 in Middlesex-London.
Seven public health units are reporting no new cases of COVID-19. The remaining municipalities logged fewer than 10 new infections.
Ontario has been in Step 3 of its economic reopening plan for two weeks, which allows for indoor dining to resume and facilities such as gyms and movie theatres to open their doors. Gathering limits have also increased, with 25 people allowed indoors and 100 people allowed outdoors.
On Friday, the province revealed that while most restrictions will lift when Ontario moves past Step 3, masks will remain mandatory indoors.
ANOTHER SURGE IN DELTA VARIANT CASES
Ontario has identified an additional 176 cases of the Delta B.1.617.2 variant in lab-confirmed cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of infections to 4,741.
In the last 24 hour period, officials also identified two cases of the Alpha B.1.1.7. variant.
On Friday, Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Theresa Tam said that Canada was “at the start of the Delta-driven fourth wave.”
“The updated longer-range forecast shows how the epidemic trajectory may evolve through early September,” she said. “It suggests that we are at the start of the Delta-driven fourth wave, but that the trajectory will depend on ongoing increases in fully vaccinated coverage, and the timing, pace and extent of reopening.” said.
In the last 24-hour period, officials administered 81,590 doses of COVID-19 vaccine.
More than 8.9 million people in Ontario are considered fully vaccinated with both their shots.
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.
BREAKING Suter scores late goal, clinches series for Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks are moving on to the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
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.