Ontario's new COVID-19 cases rise above 1,500 with 14 more deaths

Mar 17 2021, 2:36 pm

The Government of Ontario confirmed 1,508 new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday morning and 14 more virus-related deaths.

Wednesday’s cases, which reported no data back up, are the highest count since March 8’s 1,607.

This is an increase from Tuesday’s 1,074 and Monday’s 1,268 but lower than Sunday’s 1,747, which was high due to a data back up issue.

Of the newly announced cases, 542 are in Toronto, 253 are in Peel, and 107 are in York Region.

Health Minister Christine Elliott said over 49,100 tests were completed, and 1,301,334 doses of the COVID-19 vaccines have been administered.

The province launched its online COVID-19 vaccine booking system on March 15.

On March 8, the Stay at Home orders were lifted in Toronto, Peel Region, and North Bay-Parry Sound at 12 am with all three regions in the Grey Zone of Ontario’s reopening framework.

In the Grey Zone, retail is permitted to reopen at 25% capacity, but indoor gatherings are not permitted.

All of Ontario’s 34 regions have now reentered the colour-coded framework.

Last week, Ontario’s health officials said that COVID-19 cases in the province are increasing across most public health units, and ramping up the vaccination process is how the pandemic can resolve.

To date, Ontario has seen 321,956 COVID-19 cases and 7,187 virus-related deaths.

Clarrie FeinsteinClarrie Feinstein

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