Coronavirus: Latest developments in the Greater Toronto Area on Oct. 31

Here are the latest developments on the coronavirus pandemic in the Greater Toronto Area for Saturday:

Status of cases in the GTA

Ontario reported a total of 1,015 new coronavirus cases on Saturday.

Of those:

• 325 were from Toronto
• 282 were from Peel Region
• 88 were from York Region
• 31 were from Halton Region
• 23 were from Durham Region

Marking Halloween amid the pandemic

People in parts of the Greater Toronto Area are being advised to mark Halloween at home this year amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Residents in areas that are in modified Stage 2 — Toronto, Peel Region and York Region — are being told to avoid going trick-or-treating due to higher rates of virus transmission.

Throughout the province, Ontarians are also being advised to avoid going to any Halloween parties or gatherings with those outside of their household.

2:33 Trick-or-treating not recommended for regions in modified Stage 2, Ontario officials say

Demand for flu shot up 500% at Ontario pharmacies

The head of the Ontario Pharmacists Association says pharmacies in the province have seen a 500 per cent increase in demand for the flu shot so far this year compared to 2019.

Justin Bates told Global News that the demand is outpacing the supply.

“Most pharmacies have either run out or are very close to depleting the stock of the vaccine and we’re having to rebook or cancel appointments for patients,” Bates said.

Ontario reports over 1K new cases

Saturday’s 1,015 new cases of the novel coronavirus bring the total number of cases in the province to 75,730.

It’s the second-highest single-day increase in cases to date in the province, behind last Sunday’s report of 1,042.

Nine new deaths were also reported, bringing the provincial death toll to 3,136.

There are 320 people hospitalized with COVID-19 (up by six), with 73 in intensive care (down by two) and 54 on ventilators (up by two).

Ministry of Long-Term Care reports 11 more deaths

According to the Ministry of Long-Term Care, there have been 1,950 deaths reported among residents and patients in long-term care homes across Ontario, which is up by 11. There are currently 72 outbreaks in long-term care homes, down by six.

Ontario officials have said there may be a discrepancy between overall deaths and deaths at long-term care homes due to how the province’s health database system is tracking data and how the Ministry of Long-Term Care is tracking data.