Coronavirus: Latest developments in the Greater Toronto Area on Jan. 9

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

Ontario expands list of essential workers eligible for emergency child care

Ontario is expanding the list of essential workers eligible to receive emergency child care.

The announcement comes as thousands of students attend school remotely to curb the spread of COVID-19.

Education Minister Stephen Lecce revealed the expanded list at a rare weekend news conference Saturday morning.

Workers now eligible for child care include Canada Post employees, staff with the RCMP or Canada Border Services, court services staff, power workers and those providing services to the homeless.

Status of cases in the GTA

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Ontario reported a total of 3,443 new cases on Saturday.

Of those:

• 1,070 were in Toronto
• 548 were in Peel Region
• 303 were in York Region
• 166 were in Durham Region
• 78 were in Halton Region

Ontario reports more than 3,400 new cases, 40 deaths

Ontario reported 3,443 new cases of the novel coronavirus Saturday, bringing the total number of cases in the province to 211,837.

Forty additional deaths were also announced, bringing the provincial death toll to 4,922.

Meanwhile, 178,224 COVID-19 cases are considered resolved, which is 84.1 per cent of all confirmed cases.

A total of 72,900 additional tests were completed. Ontario has now completed a total of 8,439,303 tests and 61,228 remain under investigation.

23 more deaths in long-term care

According to the Ministry of Long-Term Care, there have been 2,952 deaths reported among residents and patients in long-term care homes across Ontario, which is an increase of 23 compared to Friday.

There are currently 228 outbreaks in long-term care homes, which is an increase of four.

2:18 Ontario hospitals told to get ready for out-of-region patients as COVID-19 cases rise

• Ontario hospitals told to get ready for out-of-region patients as COVID-19 cases rise
• Premier Doug Ford warns worst days of COVID-19 could be ahead
• Ontario hospital staff say they’re being overlooked as others jump COVID-19 vaccine queue
• Premier Ford said stricter measures are on the way amidst rising COVID-19 cases

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— With files from The Canadian Press