Ontario reports slight increase in new coronavirus cases

The Province of Ontario confirmed there are 111 new known COVID-19 cases on Thursday morning, with five more reported deaths from the illness.

The new cases are a slight increase from Monday’s 102 which were the lowest reported numbers since March 25, when the province confirmed 100 cases.

Today’s numbers are the same as Tuesday’s 111, but less than Monday’s 116, Sunday’s 129, and Saturday’s 130, as most of the province enters Stage 3 of reopening on Friday.

Toronto’s Medical Officer of Health Dr. Eileen de Villa said the city saw the “smallest number” of new coronavirus cases on Tuesday, for quite sometime with just 14 reported.

According to Health Minister Christine Elliot, locally 30 of Ontario’s 34 public health units are reporting five or fewer cases, with fully 19 of them reporting no new cases.

And, the province completed 26,492 tests from the previous day.

Today, Ontario is reporting 111 cases of #COVID19, a 0.3% increase. Locally, 30 of Ontario’s 34 public health units are reporting five or fewer cases, with fully 19 of them reporting no new cases. Yesterday, the province processed 26,492 tests.

— Christine Elliott (@celliottability) July 16, 2020

Elliot added that there are 141 more resolved cases, meaning there are 30 fewer active cases in Ontario.

“The number of hospitalizations, ICU admissions and vented patients have all declined,” she said.

There has been a total of 37,163 confirmed cases in Ontario to date, with 33,061 resolved, and a total of 2,737 coronavirus deaths, according to the province.

In long-term care homes, there have been 5,548 reported cases with 1,731 deaths among residents.

Government of Ontario

Ontario extended the province’s state of emergency until July 22.

On Monday, Premier Doug Ford is announced that most of the province could enter Stage 3 of the reopening on Friday, July 17 at 12:01 am.

During this next stage, gatherings can increase to 50 people indoors and 100 people outdoors.