Ontario reported 421 new cases of the novel coronavirus on Monday and 17 additional deaths, bringing the provincial total to 7,470 cases.
The death toll has risen to 291.
However, 3,357 people have recovered from the virus, which is 44.9 per cent of cases.
Monday’s report marks a six per cent increase in cases compared to the day prior. Sunday also saw a six per cent increase, 6.6 per cent on Saturday and 8.3 per cent on Friday.
Ontario has 760 patients hospitalized due to COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus, with 263 patients in an intensive care unit and 203 in ICUs on a ventilator.
The province has tested 108,230 people so far for the virus. This is up roughly 5,000 tests from the previous day.
The Ontario government has said it expects to reach an 8,000 daily capacity for testing by mid-April. Premier Doug Ford said the province has the capacity to reach 13,000 tests daily.
At a press conference on Monday, Ford said his government will seek to extend Ontario’s emergency order by another 28 days on Tuesday.
There are 1,534 people currently under investigation awaiting test results.
Greater Toronto Area public health units account for 53.9 per cent of all cases in the province.
Here is a breakdown of Ontario cases by gender and age:
- 3,318 patients are male (44.4 per cent).
- 4,109 patients are female (55.0 per cent).
- 19 and younger: 175 patients (2.3 per cent).
- 20-39: 1,817 patients (24.3 per cent).
- 40-59: 2,521 patients (33.7 per cent).
- 60-79: 1,797 patients (24.1 per cent).
- 80 and older: 1,154 patients (15.4 per cent).
Eighty-nine outbreaks have been reported in long-term care homes.
The newly reported numbers are valid as of 4 p.m. Sunday.
Ontario’s COVID-19 peak might come this week: associate chief medical officer of health
Dr. Barbara Yaffe, Ontario’s associate chief medical officer of health, said based on modelling data, the province could potentially see a peak in COVID-19.
“Generally speaking, the number of new cases has been going down slightly. Not exactly, but the general trend,” she said Monday afternoon.
“The modellers have told us that the peak is likely going to happen this week, and that’s assuming all the measures in place continue.
“That does give me a glimmer of hope with some caution built in.”
— With files from Nick Westoll