51 deaths reported as Ontario logs over 3,000 new COVID-19 cases

The Government of Ontario confirmed 3,128 new COVID-19 cases on Tuesday morning, with 51 more reported deaths.

Today’s cases are a decrease from Monday’s 3,270, Sunday’s 2,964, and the record-breaking 3,363 reported on Saturday.

Daily case counts have remained above 2,000 for weeks, with Friday’s 2,476, Thursday’s 3,328, Wednesday’s 2,923, and Tuesday’s 2,553. Monday saw 1,939 cases, the last time cases were below 2,000 being December 14, when 1,940 were confirmed.

Of the newly announced cases, 778 are in Toronto, 614 are in Peel, 213 are in York Region, 172 in Durham, 151 in Middlesex-London and 151 in Hamilton.

Ontario is reporting 3,128 cases of #COVID19 and nearly 35,200 tests completed. Locally, there are 778 new cases in Toronto, 614 in Peel, 213 in York Region, 172 in Durham, 151 in Middlesex-London and 151 in Hamilton.

— Christine Elliott (@celliottability) January 5, 2021

Health Minister Christine Elliott said that nearly 35,200 tests were completed.

Ontario is currently under a province-wide lockdown that will be in effect in northern Ontario for 14 days, and the southern part of the province for 28 days. The restrictions will be evaluated throughout the lockdown, rather than when they are set to expire.

Elliot added, “All Ontarians are advised to stay home as much as possible and limit trips outside of your home to necessities.”

Health officials confirmed that six cases of the COVID-19 UK variant have been found in Ontario. 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.

To date, Ontario has seen 197,360 COVID-19 cases, with 166,790 recovered, and 4,730 reported deaths.