Ontario reports record-high new COVID-19 cases for 3rd straight day

Ontario is reporting 1,575 new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday — a record high in the province for the third day in a row. There were 1,426 cases on Wednesday.

Another 18 deaths were reported, bringing the total to 3,293.

The most new cases are in Toronto (472), followed closely by Peel Region (448), and then York Region (155).

The province said it completed 39,559 tests in the previous day for a positivity rate of 4.3 per cent. A total of 917 more resolved cases were reported.

Of the 89,784 COVID-19 cases in the province, 75,220 or 83.8 per cent are considered resolved.

It is the seventh straight day that cases have soared above 1,000 in the province amid a second wave of the virus.

Hospitalizations (431), those in the ICU (98) and those on a ventilator (62) all increased as well.

There were 103 cases reported in schools Thursday, bringing the total number of cases in the last two weeks to 1,046.

Health Minister Christine Elliot called the numbers “concerning,” and cited the new framework aimed at introducing preventative measures earlier to help limit the spread of COVID-19.

Elliot said the framework is “responsive” and “has allowed us to take immediate action to support the public health response in key regions such as Peel. We will continue to work with our local partners in the coming days and weeks to provide additional supports as required.”

“In consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health and our local partners, we will continue to review a range of criteria to ensure swift action to limit the transmission of COVID-19, keep our schools and economy open, and protect our most vulnerable,” Elliott added.

Toronto will be moving into the red (control) stage on Saturday with additional measures introduced by the city, including prohibiting indoor dining and indoor group fitness.

Peel Region has also mandated stricter restrictions than the province’s red stage in order to control the surge of COVID-19 in the region.

Elliott also responded to a report that said the government ignored their advice when it created the new colour-coded system for pandemic measures.

She said the framework has only been operational for a week and is not yet in effect in Toronto.

“Our framework is focused on introducing preventative measures earlier to help limit the spread of COVID-19,” Elliot said. “In partnership with the Chief Medical Officer of Health and our local medical officers of health, we continue to closely monitor the evolving situation to advise if and when public health measures need to be adjusted.”