Ontario reports over 1,100 new COVID-19 cases as numbers rise for second day

The Government of Ontario confirmed 1,150 new COVID-19 cases on Friday morning, an increase from Thursday’s 1,038 showing a rise in numbers for the second day in a row.

The province is also reporting 1,255 newly resolved cases and 47 additional deaths.

This is higher than Wednesday’s 847, which was the lowest count since late October. It is also an increase from Tuesday’s 904, Monday’s 964, and Sunday’s 981, but lower than Saturday’s 1,300.

Of the newly announced cases, 376 are in Toronto, 264 are in Peel, and 108 are in York Region.

Health Minister Christine Elliott said nearly 65,400 tests were completed, and 518,834 doses of the COVID-19 vaccines have been administered.

Ontario is reporting 1,150 cases of #COVID19 and nearly 65,400 tests completed. Locally, there are 376 new cases in Toronto, 264 in Peel and 108 in York Region.

As of 8:00 p.m. yesterday, 518,834 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered.

— Christine Elliott (@celliottability) February 19, 2021

There are now confirmed cases of the UK, South African, and Brazilian COVID-19 variants in the province.

Health officials have called the fast-spreading variant a “significant threat” and noted that it may impact Ontario’s lockdown measures.

There is no evidence to suggest that approved vaccines will be any less effective against the newfound variants.

On February 16, Stay at Home orders were lifted in 27 Ontario regions, which will revert back to an updated colour-coded system. However, Toronto, Peel, and York regions will not see the orders lifted until February 22.

Toronto and Peel Region’s top doctors have asked the province to extend the orders until at least March 5, due to the variants of concern.

To date, Ontario has seen 290,771 COVID-19 cases and 6,820 virus-related deaths.