COVID-19 hospitalizations in Ontario approach 800, up 150 from last week

Ontario COVID-19 hospitalizations are up more than 150 in the last week as the province reports nine additional deaths on Tuesday.

Provincial officials are reporting 790 people are in hospital due to the virus, up from 655 one day ago and 639 one week ago.

There are 165 COVID patients in the ICU, slightly more than a day ago but down from 179 last week.

The Ministry of Health says 47 per cent of people hospitalizaed were admitted for COVID and 53 per cent were admitted for other reasons and have since tested positive. In the ICU, 72 per cent were admitted for the virus and 28 per cent have since tested positive.

Source: Ministry of Health

The province is confirming 1,610 new cases of the virus, but experts estimate the real number of infections is approximately 10 times that amount due to Ontario’s testing restrictions.

There were 12,302 tests processed in the last 24-hour period, for a test positivity rate of 14.4 per cent. Monday’s test positivity rate of 17.9 per cent was the highest the province has seen in the last two months.

Ontario’s wastewater data suggests that cases have been on the rise since early-to-mid-March and are currently doubling approximately every 10 days.

The rise in indicators comes after the province lifted nearly all of its public health measures. The Ford government released a plan to keep the province open amid rising cases that includes intiatives to prevent future lockdowns and respond to any new health care crises.

Health Minister Christine Elliott announced the legislation Tuesday morning, which includes annual reporting of personal proctive equipment to ensure an adequate supply. It will also requires the province to have an emergency plan in place that must be reviewed and updated every five years.

Last week, Premier Doug Ford said Ontario has taken a very cautious approach to reopening, as one of the last jurisdictions in North America to lift mask mandates – a move that took effect Monday. But when asked at a news conference Friday if he would reintroduce restrictions to respond to a surge, he wouldn’t say.

Dr. Isaac Bogoch, an infectious diseases expert with University Health Network, said it’s clear Ontario is at the beginning of a new wave of the virus.

“I think what’s unclear is how big this wave is going to be,” he said in an interview. “Some of the modelling suggests that it’s not going to be nearly as impactful or large as prior waves. I hope that’s accurate.”

Modelling released by Ontario’s science advisory table ahead of mask mandates being lifted suggested there will likely be a moderate increase in COVID-19 transmission as measures end. The panel predicted that hospitalizations would likely rise, though not by as much as in previous waves.