Ontario reports 1,388 new COVID-19 cases as testing increases

The Government of Ontario confirmed 1,388 new COVID-19 cases on Saturday, a drop from the 1,670 reported on Friday.

Yesterday’s numbers included an overestimate in numbers from Toronto, the province said.

The province is also reporting 1,796 newly resolved cases and 45 additional deaths.

Today’s case count is lower than Thursday’s 1,563, and Monday’s 1,969, but higher than Wednesday’s 1,172, and Tuesday’s 745, which was low due to a change in the data system that didn’t include Toronto’s numbers.

Cases have been hovering around 2,000 in recent weeks, with Sunday’s 1,848, Saturday’s 2,063, Friday’s 1,837, Thursday’s 2,093, and Wednesday’s 1,670.

Of the newly announced cases, 455 are in Toronto, 288 are in Peel, and 131 are in York Region.

Health Minister Christie Elliott said over 62,300 tests were completed and 372,666 doses of the COVID-19 vaccines have been administered.

Ontario is reporting 1,388 cases of #COVID19 and over 62,300 tests completed. Locally, there are 455 new cases in Toronto, 288 in Peel and 131 in York Region.

As of 8:00 p.m. yesterday, 372,666 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered.

— Christine Elliott (@celliottability) February 6, 2021

There are now 69 confirmed cases of the UK COVID-19 variant in Ontario, and the first South African variant was detected on February 1.

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.

Last weekend, major Canadian airlines, including WestJet and Air Canada, cancelled service to Mexico and the Caribbean until the end of April.

On February 1, mandatory COVID-19 testing began at Toronto’s Pearson Airport. While international travellers await the results of their test they will need to quarantine at an approved hotel at their own expense.

A second State of Emergency was announced by Premier Doug Ford, who also issued a Stay at Home order, effective January 14. This means everyone must stay home and only go out for essential trips, such as going to the grocery store or pharmacy, accessing healthcare services, exercising, or essential work.

To date, Ontario has seen 276,718 COVID-19 cases and 6,483 virus-related deaths.