Ontario reports fewer than 400 new COVID-19 cases for 3rd time in a week

By Michael Ranger

Ontario is reporting 373 new COVID-19 cases and two additional deaths on Monday as the rolling average of new cases reaches a more than two-month low.

The province has reported fewer than 500 new cases for eight straight days and it is the third time in that stretch there have been fewer than 400 cases.

Of the new infections, 214 are in individuals who are unvaccinated, 17 are in individuals who are partially vaccinated, and 34 are in those with unknown vaccination status.


Ontario COVID-19 data - October 18, 2021

Graphic courtesy of @jkwan_md


The rolling seven-day average of cases has dropped to 416, reaching the lowest point since Aug. 13.

There were 20,432 tests completed in the last 24-hour period for a test positivity rate of 1.8 per cent.

There are now 168 people in the ICU due to COVID-19 complications and 97 of them are on ventilators.


Ontario ICU data - October 18, 2021

Graphic courtesy of @jkwan_md


The province administered another 12,399 vaccine doses. There are now 87.5 per cent of Ontarians 12 and older who have received at least one dose, 83.2 per cent are now fully vaccinated.

All Ontarians vaccinated against COVID-19 are now able to download their enhanced COVID-19 vaccine certificate from the provincial portal. The enhanced system officially takes effect on Friday but businesses can now start using the new app to verify the QR codes.

Health Minister Christine Elliott says since the launch of the enhanced vaccine certificate on Friday, over 2.2 million Ontarians have downloaded their copy.

The launch of the new app comes amidst speculation that Ontario will soon announce a plan for moving beyond the province’s current reopening framework, including ending capacity limits in venues such as restaurants and gyms where proof of vaccination is required.

A government source told CityNews that an announcement on lifting restrictions on capacity limits will made late this week. The source said the change in capacity would not be immediate at the time of the announcement.

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