Ontario reports over 2,000 new COVID-19 cases for fifth straight day

Dec 19 2020, 3:25 pm

The Government of Ontario confirmed 2,357 new COVID-19 cases on Saturday morning, an increase from the 2,290 reported on Friday.

This is the fifth day in a row cases have been above 2,000, with Thursday’s record-breaking 2,432, Wednesday’s 2,139, and Tuesday’s 2,275.

The province is also reporting 1,865 more resolved cases and 27 new deaths.

Of the newly announced cases, 665 are in Toronto, 448 are in Peel, 174 are in York Region, and 170 are in Windsor-Essex County.

According to Health Minister Christine Elliott, over 67,200 tests were completed, a decrease from the 68,200 completed Friday, but more than Thursday’s 58,200, Wednesday’s 49,200, Tuesday’s 39,600 and Monday’s 57,100.

On Friday, Premier Doug Ford announced that he would be extending the lockdown orders currently in place in Toronto and Peel Region until at least January 4.

The regions have both been in the Grey–Lockdown level of the province’s COVID-19 framework since November 23.

In addition to the longer lockdown for Toronto and Peel, Ford said that from 12:01am on Monday, December 21, Hamilton will be in the grey zone as well.

As of Monday, five health regions across Ontario will be in lockdowns to stop the spread of COVID-19. In addition to Toronto, Peel, and Hamilton, York Region and Windsor-Essex County are also in the grey zone.

Over the weekend, the premier will hold an emergency meeting with the CEOs of all the province’s hospitals. New restrictions are expected to be announced Monday afternoon.

To date, Ontario has seen 153,614 coronavirus cases and 4,125 deaths.

Zoe DemarcoZoe Demarco

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