Here are the latest developments on the coronavirus pandemic in the Greater Toronto Area for Tuesday:
325 more people to be vaccinated at UHN Tuesday
Premier Doug Ford said that the University Health Network in Toronto expects to administer around 325 more COVID-19 vaccinations on Tuesday and another 325 on Wednesday.
On Monday, the first COVID-19 vaccines in the province were administered at UHN.
Meanwhile, officials said the province can expect to receive 90,000 more Pfizer doses by the end of December which will be distributed to 19 sites.
Ontario Hospital Association to hold emergency meeting
The head of the Ontario Hospital Association says an emergency meeting will be held Wednesday with the organization’s board of directors.
Anthony Dale said the purpose of the meeting is “to discuss the risk that Ontario hospitals are facing an imminent risk of overwhelming conditions because of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
According to provincial data, there are currently 921 people in hospital with COVID-19, with 249 in intensive care.
Scarborough nursing home under hospital management
Ontario’s Ministry of Long-term Care says the Craiglee Nursing Home, located near Kingston Road and Midland Avenue in Scarborough, is under management with the Scarborough Health Network.
The ministry said the arrangement helps to address the spread of COVID-19 in the home and stabilize the situation.
The voluntary management contract between the nursing home and the hospital is in effect for 90 days.
Moderna vaccine key to immunizing Ontario long-term care residents: Hillier
The head of Ontario’s vaccine distribution task force says Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine will be key to immunizing the province’s long-term care residents.
Retired. Gen. Rick Hillier says the vaccine, which still requires Health Canada approval, can be moved more easily than the one manufactured by Pfizer, which requires deep cold storage.
Status of cases in the GTA
Ontario reported a total of 2,275 new coronavirus cases on Tuesday.
Of those:
- 711 were in Toronto
- 586 were in Peel Region
- 154 were in York Region
- 92 were in Durham Region
- 65 were in Halton Region
2,275 new COVID-19 cases in Ontario, 20 more deaths
Ontario reported 2,275 new cases of coronavirus on Tuesday, marking a new single-day record, to bring the provincial total to 144,396.
However, Ontario said that it pulled data at a different time than it usually does, resulting in a one-day increase in the daily case count for some public health units.
The death toll in the province has risen to 3,992 as 20 more deaths were reported.
Resolved cases increased by 1,810 from the previous day. The government said 39,566 tests were processed in the last 24 hours
Ontario long-term care homes
According to the Ministry of Long-Term Care, there have been 2,424 deaths reported among residents and patients in long-term care homes across Ontario which is an increase of 24 deaths.
There are 134 current outbreaks in homes, a decrease of three from the previous day.
Ontario child care centres and schools
Government figures show there have been a total of 6,664 school-related COVID-19 cases in Ontario — 4,594 among students and 977 among staff (1,093 individuals were not identified). This is an increase of 319 more cases over a three-day period.
There have been a total of 1,124 confirmed cases within child care centres and homes — an increase of 55 (30 child cases and 25 staff cases.)
— With files from The Canadian Press