Ontario reports spike in new coronavirus cases as Toronto enters Stage 3

The Province of Ontario confirmed there are 134 new known COVID-19 cases and three more deaths related to the illness on Friday morning

This is a surge from Thursday’s 89 new cases and Wednesday’s 76 new cases, the lowest reported figure since the end of March. The city also saw 111 cases on Tuesday.

“While a slight uptick over the past two days, 28 of 34 [public health units] are reporting five or fewer cases, with 16 of them reporting no new cases,” Health Minister Christine Elliott said on Twitter. “Of today’s new cases, 26 are in Ottawa with 24 in Windsor-Essex.”

Today, Ontario is reporting 134 cases of #COVID19, a 0.3% increase. While a slight uptick over the past two days, 28 of 34 PHUs are reporting five or fewer cases, with 16 of them reporting no new cases. Of today’s new cases, 26 are in Ottawa with 24 in Windsor-Essex.

— Christine Elliott (@celliottability) July 31, 2020

She added that there have been 168 more resolved cases, and 34 fewer active cases in Ontario as hospitalizations have also declined.

Currently, 78 people are hospitalized in Ontario due to the coronavirus, while 29 are in ICU, and 15 on a ventilator.

In its long-term care homes, two more residents have contracted the virus, along with 13 members of staff. Two more residents have died bringing the death toll in these homes to a total of 1,795.

Province of Ontario

The numbers follow as the Toronto and Peel regions began their entry into Stage 3 of the economic reopening on Friday morning at 12:01 am.

According to the Ford government, this decision was made in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health and local medical officers of health and is based on positive local trends of key public health indicators, including lower transmission of COVID-19, ongoing hospital capacity, public health capacity to conduct rapid case and contact management, and a significant increase in testing.

For regions in Stage 3, gathering limits will increase to a maximum of 50 people indoors and a maximum of 100 people outdoors, with physical distancing in place.