Ontario logs over 1,000 new COVID-19 cases as more regions reopen

The Government of Ontario confirmed 1,058 new COVID-19 cases on Monday morning as more regions enter the province’s reopening framework.

The province is also reporting 1,083 newly resolved cases and 11 additional deaths.

Today’s cases are lower than Sunday’s 1,087, Saturday’s 1,228, Friday’s 1,150, but higher than Thursday’s 1,038, and Wednesday’s 847, the lowest count since late October.

Of the newly announced cases, 325 are in Toronto, 215 are in Peel, and87 are in York Region.

Health Minister Christine Elliott said nearly 31,200 tests were completed, and 569,455 doses of the COVID-19 vaccines have been administered.

Ontario is reporting 1,058 cases of #COVID19 and nearly 31,200 tests completed. Locally, there are 325 new cases in Toronto, 215 in Peel and 87 in York Region.

As of 8:00 p.m. yesterday, 569,455 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered.

— Christine Elliott (@celliottability) February 22, 2021

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. York Region moved into the Red-Control zone on February 22.

Toronto and Peel’s top doctors had previously asked the province to extend the orders due to the emerging COVID-19 variants.

Now, 31 region shave reverted back to the updated colour-coded system.

Cases of the UK, South African, and Brazilian COVID-19 variants have been confirmed in Ontario.

Health officials have called the fast-spreading UK mutation 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.

To date, Ontario has seen 294,144 COVID-19 cases and 6,872 virus-related deaths.