Ontario COVID-19 hospitalizations fall below 2,000, province reports 44 deaths
Posted February 10, 2022 10:29 am.
Last Updated February 10, 2022 11:15 am.
Ontario’s COVID-19 hospitalizations have dropped below 2,000 for the first time in over a month as the province reports 44 new deaths from the virus.
Health officials are reporting 1,897 people hospitalized due to the virus — down from 2,059 the previous day and from over 2,900 one week ago.
There are now 445 COVID patients in the ICU, down slightly from 449 a day ago.
Hospitalizations have fallen to the lowest point since Jan. 4.
Not including individuals with an unknown vaccination status, 42.4 per cent of ICU admissions and 26.9 per cent of hospitalizations are unvaccinated. This compares to just 7.9 per cent of Ontarians 12 and older who have not received a single dose.
According to ministry data, 56 per cent of people were admitted to hospital for the virus and 44 per cent were admitted for other reasons but have since tested positive for the virus. Of the ICU patients, 76 per cent were admitted for COVID-19 and 24 per cent tested positive in hospital.
The province’s COVID-19 Science Advisory Table released new pandemic modelling last week and suggested the easing of restrictions will see hospital numbers rebound and continue at a prolonged peak through February and March.
As of Thursday, 92.1 per cent of Ontarians aged 12 and older have received at least one dose of the vaccine and 89.6 per cent have received two doses.
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.
Health officials also reported 3,201 new cases but Public Health Ontario has said the number of infections is much higher due to changes to the province’s testing policy.
Health Minister Christine Elliott said Wednesday that Ontario will not follow the lead of other jurisdictions that have already begun lifting proof-of-vaccination rules and intend to end masking rules soon.
However, multiple sources are reporting the province is looking at options to speed up the reopening timeline and lift some capacity restrictions earlier than currently scheduled.
Ontario’s top doctor is set to hold a pandemic briefing on Thursday. The Toronto Star is reporting that Dr. Kieran Moore will announce extracurricular activities can return to schools immediately.
Moore, along with Premier Doug Ford, has shifted his pandemic messaging in recent weeks, suggesting it’s time for Ontarians to “learn to live” with the virus. During his briefing last week, Moore said masking will likely be the last measure to go and said the province will need to reassess the vaccine passport system moving forward.
Ontario’s gradual reopening plan began last week with many businesses welcoming back patrons for the first time in nearly a month. Indoor dining at restaurants and bars, gyms and cinemas reopened at 50 per cent capacity after being shuttered due to the rapid spread of the Omicron variant.
