Ontario reports over 1,500 new COVID-19 cases for second straight day
The Government of Ontario confirmed 1,553 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday morning, higher than Wednesday’s 1,508.
Thursday’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.
The province also reported 15 more virus-related deaths.
Of the newly announced cases, 404 are in Toronto, 294 are in Peel, and 176 are in York Region.
Health Minister Christine Elliott said nearly 58,600 tests were completed, and 1,359,453 doses of the COVID-19 vaccines have been administered.
Ontario is reporting 1,553 cases of #COVID19 and nearly 58,600 tests completed. Locally, there are 404 new cases in Toronto, 294 in Peel and 176 in York Region.
As of 8:00 p.m. yesterday, 1,359,453 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered.
— Christine Elliott (@celliottability) March 18, 2021
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 323,509 COVID-19 cases and 7,202 virus-related deaths.