Ontario reports almost 200 new coronavirus cases as more regions enter Stage 3

The Province of Ontario confirmed there are 195 new known COVID-19 cases on Friday morning, with three more reported deaths from the illness, as more regions enter Stage 3 of reopening.

The new cases are an increase from Thursday’s 103, and Wednesday’s 165, but a decrease from Tuesday’s 203 —which reported the highest numbers in almost a month.

Wednesday, July 15 saw 102 new cases, which was the lowest since March 25.

According to Health Minister Christine Elliot, locally 26 of 34 public health units are reporting five or fewer cases, with 15 of them reporting no new cases.

There are 27 new cases in Ottawa and 57 new cases in Windsor-Essex.

And, 128 or 66% of today’s cases are under the age of 40, Elliot added.

Ontario is reporting 195 cases of #COVID19, a 0.5% increase. Locally, 26 of 34 PHUs are reporting five or fewer cases, with 15 of them reporting no new cases. There are 27 new cases in Ottawa and 57 new cases in Windsor-Essex. 128 or 66% of today’s cases are under the age of 40.

— Christine Elliott (@celliottability) July 24, 2020

“After seeing an uptick in hospitalizations yesterday, the number of patients in hospital has decreased to 141 today,” Elliot said. 

The province processed nearly 29,000 coronavirus tests from the previous day. 

On Friday seven more regions entered Stage 3, which means people can go to bars, dine-in at restaurants, attend gyms and see live shows.

At this time, Toronto, Peel and Windsor-Essex remain in Stage 2 of the province’s reopening.

There has been a total of 38,405 confirmed cases in Ontario to date, with 34,100 resolved, and a total of 2,758 coronavirus deaths, according to the province.

Government of Ontario

In long-term care homes, there have been 5,881 reported cases with 1,791 deaths among residents.

On July 24 the Reopening Ontario (A Flexible Response to COVID-19) Act, 2020 will come into force, giving the Ford government access to keeping some emergency powers for up to a year.