Ontario reports over 2,000 new COVID-19 cases for second day in a row

The Government of Ontario confirmed 2,139 new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday morning, the second day in a row cases are above 2,000.

On Tuesday, the province reported 2,275, the highest number since the pandemic began, but they said the rise came from several technical updates from health units that day.

Today’s numbers are an increase from Monday’s 1,940, Sunday’s 1,677, Saturday’s 1,873, Friday’s 1,848, and Thursday’s previous record-breaking 1,983.

The province is also reporting 2,043 more resolved cases and 43 new deaths.

Of the newly announced cases, 780 are in Toronto, 528 are in Peel, and 148 are in York Region.

According to Health Minister Christine Elliott, 49,200 tests were completed, which is more than Tuesday’s 39,600 but fewer than Monday’s 57,100 and Sunday’s 58,200.

Ontario is reporting 2,139 cases of #COVID19. Locally, there are 780 new cases in Toronto, 528 in Peel, 148 in York Region, 143 in Durham and 111 in Windsor-Essex County. There are 2,043 more resolved cases and nearly 49,200 tests completed.

— Christine Elliott (@celliottability) December 16, 2020

On Monday, York Region and Windsor-Essex County moved into the Grey – Lockdown level of the province’s COVID-19 framework.

The regions join Toronto and Peel, which have both been in lockdown since November 23.

Lockdown restrictions include only allowing retail stores to offer curbside pick-up or delivery. Restaurants can only be open for pick-up, drive-thru, and delivery.

Indoor gatherings are not allowed except with members of the same household, and outdoor gatherings are limited to 10 people.

On Tuesday, Premier Doug Ford said he is considering two weeks of further shutdowns following the holiday break.

To date, Ontario has seen 146,535 coronavirus cases and 4,035 death