Ontario reports lower number of new COVID-19 cases due to technical glitch

By News staff

Ontario is reporting 1,009 new cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday, but don’t celebrate just yet — the Ministry of Health earlier confirmed that today’s relatively lower number is an underestimation due to a technical glitch.

The most new cases reported Tuesday are in Toronto (497), Peel Region (175) and York Region (118).

On Monday, the province recorded a daily record high of 1,589 cases; however, a statement from Health Minister Christine Elliott’s office said the same technical issue also resulted in a higher case count Monday.

“Due to technical issues, instead of including cases up until 12 p.m. on November 22, yesterday’s report contained cases reported in CCM (Case and Contact Management System) up until 8:30 p.m. on November 22, resulting in an overestimate of the daily counts yesterday, and an underestimate of the daily counts today,” the statement read.

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The province said it completed nearly 27,100 tests in the previous day, well short of its goal of 50,000 tests per day. The province has previously said that Tuesday is routinely the lowest day for tests.

“The number of “tests completed” is typically lowest on Tuesdays, as the province is reporting what was processed on Monday, which is the result of what is collected on Sundays,” Elliott’s press secretary told CityNews. “Trends show that less people book an appointment to be tested on the weekends.”

Tuesday’s provincial update included 14 more deaths, bringing the death toll to 3,519.

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The Ministry of Education also said reporting issues have skewed numbers of COVID-related cases. On Tuesday, 270 new school and child-care related cases were reported, but in a statement the Ministry said those numbers actually include three days worth of data.

“Tuesday’s reporting number for schools and child care is not a one day increase,” the Ministry said. “Tuesday’s reporting number is a reflection of over three days of data, and includes any cases identified in schools on Friday from 2pm, Saturday, Sunday and Monday until 2pm.

“Today’s number also includes catch-up from some boards who did not report to the Ministry on Friday. A Professional learning day Friday in several large boards, including both TDSB and TCDSB, means that potential cases that would have usually been reported on Friday, were reported to the Ministry after the weekend. An outbreak and school closure in Windsor has also contributed to this number, with 38 confirmed cases reported to the Ministry, of which 34 cases are being reported today.”

According to the Ministry as of today:

  • 85.44 per cent of schools have no reported active/current cases (4125/4828)
  • 99.94 per cent of students have not tested positive for COVID-19
  • 99.83 per cent of students have no reported case of COVID-19
  • 99.9 per cent of staff have not tested positive for COVID-19
  • 99.71 per cent of staff have no reported case of COVID-19

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