74 deaths reported as Ontario logs under 3,000 new COVID-19 cases

The Government of Ontario confirmed 2,961 new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday morning, with 74 more virus-related deaths.

On Tuesday cases were also below 3,000 at 2,903, numbers not seen since January 3.

Prior to January 12, cases had been above 3,000 for over a week, with Monday’s 3,338, Sunday’s 3,945, Saturday’s 3,443, Friday’s record-breaking 4,249, Thursday’s 3,519, Wednesday’s 3,266, Tuesday’s 3,128, and Monday’s 3,270.

The province is also reporting 3,392 resolved cases.

Of the newly announced cases, 738 cases are in Toronto, 536 in Peel, 245 in Windsor-Essex, 219 in York Region and 171 in Hamilton.

Health Minister Christine Elliott said that over 50,900 tests were completed.

Ontario is reporting 2,961 cases of #COVID19 and over 50,900 tests completed. Locally, there are 738 new cases in Toronto, 536 in Peel, 245 in Windsor-Essex County, 219 in York Region and 171 in Hamilton.

— Christine Elliott (@celliottability) January 13, 2021

She added, “As of 8:00 p.m. yesterday, 144,784 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered..”

There are now 14 cases of the UK COVID-19 variant in the province. The fast-spreading virus mutation was first detected in a couple from Durham Region.

Although the new variant of the virus has been found to spread quicker, there is no evidence to suggest that approved vaccines will be any less effective against it.

On Tuesday Premier Doug Ford announced a second State of Emergency and issued a Stay at Home order effective Thursday. 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, for exercise or for essential work.

Ontario is also currently under a province-wide lockdown. The restrictions will be evaluated throughout the lockdown, rather than when they are set to expire.

To date, Ontario has seen 224,984 COVID-19 cases and 5,127 deaths.