309 new coronavirus cases reported in Ontario, total hits 4,347 and 132 deaths

Ontario reported 309 new cases of the novel coronavirus on Monday, including 13 new deaths, bringing the total number of cases in the province to 4,347.

The death toll has risen to 132.

The province has 589 hospitalizations due to COVID-19 with 216 patients in the ICU (intensive care unit) and 160 in ICU on a ventilator.

They also reported 1,624 patients have recovered from the virus.

Ontario health workers have tested 78,796 people and 329 are currently under investigation awaiting test results as the province works through the backlog.

As of Sunday, the provincial government said at least 451 health care workers tested positive for COVID-19.

Monday’s report marks a 7.7 per cent increase in cases, compared to an 11.2 per cent increase on Sunday, 11.5 per cent on Saturday and 16.5 per cent on Friday.

When asked about lower percentage increase and if it could mean a peak in cases has arrived, Ontario Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. David Williams said it is too early to determine that.

“One day is one day … I would not be jumping to any conclusions at this point,” he said.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "One day is one day … I would not be jumping to any conclusions at this point," he said.

Greater Toronto Area public health units account for 51.9 per cent of all cases.

Forty-six outbreaks have been reported in long-term care homes across Ontario.

Ontario health officials have said there may be reporting delays for deaths related to COVID-19 as it relies on data from 34 public health units across the province to be inputted into the Ministry of Health’s disease reporting system database.

— With files from Nick Westoll