Toronto reports record high with over 1,000 new COVID-19 cases

The City of Toronto’s Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Eileen de Villa, reported 1,069 new COVID-19 cases in the city on December 30, reaching a new high in daily cases.

During the city press briefing on Wednesday, de Villa reported the significant increase, stating a record high for the second day in a row.

On December 29, the city reported 957 COVID-19 cases. More than half of the new numbers are reported from those between the ages of 20 to 49.

As of Wednesday, de Villa reports 345 people are in hospital, 92 are in the ICU, and four people have died.

“I last reported to you in person on December 23. There have been 4,252 cases in the seven days since,” said de Villa.

“While it is now five days since Christmas day, I am not convinced that these cases are connected to it.”

Since November 8, Toronto hospitals have seen a 55% increase in the “seven day moving average” for hospitalizations.

“It is now reasonable that we should brace for an extended period of potentially unsettling and discouraging numbers in terms of COVID-19 infections in Toronto,” said de Villa.

On December 30, the province also reported almost 3,000 new COVID-19 cases in the last day, marking a record high since the start of the pandemic.

Toronto’s case count since the start of the pandemic now exceeds 60,000.