Ontario reports over 2,500 new COVID-19 cases as province expected to enter lockdown

Ontario reported 2,557 new COVID-19 infections Thursday as officials urge residents not to gather over the Easter long weekend.

Thursday’s count is higher compared to this week’s daily counts, with 2,336 reported Tuesday, Monday’s 2,094, and Sunday’s 2,448 infections.

Additionally, 23 new COVID-19 related deaths were reported.

Of the new cases, 743 are in Toronto, 484 are in Peel, and 311 are in York Region.

According to Ontario’s Minister of Health Christine Elliott, 62,300 tests were completed on Wednesday.

Ontario is reporting 2,557 cases of #COVID19 and nearly 62,300 tests completed. Locally, there are 743 new cases in Toronto, 484 in Peel, 311 in York Region, 131 in Ottawa, 119 in Hamilton and 107 in Durham.

— Christine Elliott (@celliottability) April 1, 2021

• See also:
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  • Ford “won’t hesitate to lock things down again” as COVID-19 cases surge
  • Toronto wants province to expand COVID-19 vaccination ages as appointments go unfilled

Ontario’s daily COVID-19 infections have been above 2,000 for eight days straight now.

On Thursday afternoon, Premier Doug Ford is expected to announce a province-wide lockdown as cases continue to rise.

Officials have relaxed certain rules in Grey-Lockdown zones recently by allowing patio dining and outdoor fitness classes.

Personal care businesses such as hair salons are scheduled to re-open in Grey zones on April 12, but Toronto Mayor John Tory questioned whether that would happen since COVID-19 indicators have gotten worse since the target date was set.

There are a total of 352,460 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ontario reported to date.