Ontario reports lowest test positivity rate in almost a month, 75 COVID deaths

Hospitalizations and ICU admissions remain relatively stable as Ontario reports the lowest COVID-19 test positivity rate in nearly a month.

The province is reporting another 75 deaths due to the virus but the Ministry of Health notes the total is inflated as a result of a data catch-up “that occurred over the span of 19 days.”

The province reported 60 new deaths on Wednesday which marked the highest daily total since early February of last year.

There were 42,907 tests completed in the last 24-hour period for a positivity rate of 15.9 per cent. It is the lowest positivity rate the province has seen since Dec. 22.

Health officials say 4,061 people are currently in the hospital with the virus, down from 4,132 reported one day ago. The province saw a pandemic high of nearly 4,200 hospitalizations on Tuesday.

There are now 594 COVID-19 patients in the ICU, up from 590 a day ago and over 100 more than one week ago.

Unvaccinated individuals represent just over 22 per cent of Ontario’s population and more than 43 per cent of ICU admissions.

Health Minister Christine Elliott said Wednesday the province is starting to see “glimmers of hope” in its fight against the Omicron variant of COVID-19.

Elliott said new hospitalizations are beginning to slow and are doubling at a much slower rate than earlier this month but cautioned that the virus’s toll on the healthcare system will likely extend into next month.

Dr. Kieran Moore says cases in the intensive care unit are also increasing at a slower pace. He says the average length of stay in hospital for COVID-19 patients is now five days with the Omicron variant, compared to nine days with Delta.

According to Ministry of Health data, 55 per cent of hospitalizations with the virus were admitted to the hospital for COVID-19 and 45 per cent were admitted for other reasons but have since tested positive for the virus.

Below is the number of new COVID-19 infections and tests in Ontario. Cases are likely much higher due to changes in testing strategy across the province. More information on these changes can be found here.

The province is confirming 7,757 new cases but health officials warn the number of infections is much higher due to the province’s testing capacity and accessibility.

Premier Doug Ford announced the gradual easing of public health measures on Thursday.

The reopening will happen in three phases, beginning on Jan. 31 when gyms, restaurants and cinemas will reopen at 50 per cent capacity and gathering limits will increase to 10 people indoors and 25 outdoors.

After that, more restrictions will be eased in three week intervals on Feb.21, and on March 14 when capacity limits in all indoor settings will be lifted.

The province has been in a modified Step 2 of the “Road to Reopen Plan” since Jan. 5, closing restaurants to in-person dining, shutting gyms and putting a 50 per cent capacity on retail.