Ontario reports over 1,200 new COVID-19 cases as numbers rise for third day

The Government of Ontario confirmed 1,228 new COVID-19 cases on Saturday morning, an increase from Friday’s 1,150 as cases rose for the third day in a row.

The province is also reporting 1,313 newly resolved cases and 28 additional deaths.

Today’s cases are higher than Wednesday’s 847, which was the lowest count since late October. They are also an increase from Thursday’s 1,038, Tuesday’s 904, Monday’s 964, and Sunday’s 981, but lower than Saturday’s 1,300.

Of the newly announced cases, 331 are in Toronto, 228 are in Peel, and 132 are in York Region.

Health Minister Christine Elliott said nearly 57,200 tests were completed, and 540,129 doses of the COVID-19 vaccines have been administered.

Ontario is reporting 1,228 cases of #COVID19 and nearly 57,200 tests completed. Locally, there are 331 new cases in Toronto, 228 in Peel and 132 in York Region.

As of 8:00 p.m. yesterday, 540,129 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered.

— Christine Elliott (@celliottability) February 20, 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 19, Premier Doug Ford announced that the Stay at Home orders would be extended for Toronto, Peel Region, and North Bay-Parry Sound until at least March 8.

Toronto and Peel’s top doctors had asked the province to extend the orders due to the variants of concern.

The Stay at Home orders were lifted in 27 regions across the province on February 16, at which point they were reverted back to an updated colour-coded system.

On February 22, York Region will be moved into the reopening framework as well.

To date, Ontario has seen 291,999 COVID-19 cases and 6,848 virus-related deaths.