Ontario reports 375 new coronavirus cases, 27 deaths

Ontario reported 375 new cases of novel coronavirus Saturday morning, bringing the total number of cases in the province to 3,630.

Twenty-seven new deaths were reported, raising the death toll to 94.

2:31 Coronavirus outbreak: Ontario reports 375 new COVID-19 cases, total now 3,630

There are now 506 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 in Ontario — an increase of 44 since Friday’s report — with 196 of them in intensive care and 152 on a ventilator.

Over 1,200 people have recovered from the virus, while over 1,300 cases remain under investigation.

Saturday’s announcement marks an 11.5 per cent increase in cases, compared to a 16.5 per cent increase reported on Friday.

Dr. David Williams, Ontario’s chief medical officer of health, said it appears public health measures are beginning to have an impact.

“We’ve seen that we’ve had impact, as Ontarians collectively,” Williams said.

“We’ve bent the curve to some extent. We’d like to bend it even further.”

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Officials said there have been 36 outbreaks confirmed at long-term care homes in the province.

0:46 Coronavirus outbreak: Ontario health official says province has ‘bent the curve’ but more work must be done

Two additional deaths were confirmed at a Bobcaygeon, Ont. nursing home, bringing the overall death toll to 23.

Meanwhile, a second province-wide emergency alert was sent out Saturday afternoon advising Ontarians to stay home unless “absolutely necessary” amid the pandemic.

In a press conference, Ford again expressed frustration with U.S. President Donald Trump, who recently told a manufacturer to stop sending medical masks to Canada.

0:47 Coronavirus outbreak: Ontario health official remains ‘optimistic’ about Canada-U.S. relations amid 3M respirator issues

Ford called it “unacceptable” and said Ontario will “never” again rely on other countries for medical equipment, promising to build up manufacturing for those supplies in Ontario.

2:37 Coronavirus outbreak: Ontario health officials say ‘many’ cases of undiagnosed COVID-19 is ‘likely’

Health officials previously said projections suggest Ontario can see anywhere between 3,000 and 15,000 deaths as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a bid to further curb the spread of the virus, Ford recently announced new workplace closures set to take effect at 11:59 p.m. Saturday, including most construction sites, except for essential projects like hospital construction.