Here are the latest developments on the coronavirus pandemic in the Greater Toronto Area for Friday.
Toronto's medical officer of health appeals for more COVID-19 vaccines
Dr. Eileen de Villa, Toronto’s medical officer of health, is calling on the Ontario government to provide more COVID-19 vaccines.
“Toronto has had, and continues to have, amongst the highest levels of COVID-19 activity in the province. Making more vaccine available to the City should help manage risk for all of Ontario,” a statement issued by the municipal on Friday said.
“As Toronto awaits the rollout of mass immunization, the City continues to urge all residents to stay home as much as possible to help stop the spread of COVID-19.”
Officials noted as of Friday, there have been nearly 105,000 COVID-19 cases in Toronto since the start of the pandemic and 2,743 residents in the city have died so far.
Currently, there are 251 people in Toronto hospitals. In total, 97,457 residents were reported to have recovered from COVID-19.
Global News contacted Ontario Health Minister Christine Elliott’s office to ask for comment about the request, but a response wasn’t received as of Friday night.
Patrons who went to Oakville steakhouse told to self-isolate due to COVID-19 variant of concern outbreak
Halton Region Public Health staff say an outbreak has been declared at an Oakville restaurant linked to a COVID-19 variant of concern.
A statement said patrons who went to Oliver’s Steakhouse restaurant on Lakeshore Road East, west of Trafalgar Road, between March 8 and 13 were exposed to someone who had a COVID-19 variant of concern.
Officials asked anyone who went to the restaurant to isolate for 14 days after their visit and to get a COVID-19 test.
“While Public Health is attempting to call these patrons, this effort may take some time,” the statement said.
“Patrons can call 311 for more information.”
Status of cases in the GTA
Ontario reported a total of 1,745 new coronavirus cases on Friday.
Of those:
- 478 were in Toronto
- 344 were in Peel Region
- 174 were in York Region
- 96 were in Durham Region
- 53 were in Halton Region
Ontario ahead of schedule, to begin COVID-19 vaccinations for seniors aged 75+ Monday
The Ontario government says its COVID-19 vaccination rollout is ahead of schedule and will therefore begin the inoculation of residents aged 75 and over beginning Monday.
The Ford government said over 50 percent of Ontarians aged 80 and over have already received their first dose
A pilot program offering vaccines in some pharmacies is also expanding and will now offer the Oxford-AstraZeneca shot to anyone aged 60 and older.
Ontario reports more than 1,700 new COVID-19 cases, 10 deaths
Ontario is reporting 1,745 new COVID–19 cases on Friday, bringing the provincial total to 325,254.
The death toll in the province has risen to 7,212 as 10 more deaths were recorded.
Resolved cases increased by 1,296 from the previous day. The government said 56,134 tests were processed in the last 24 hours.
As of 8 p.m. on Thursday, the provincial government reported administering 1,420,599 COVID-19 vaccine doses, representing an increase of 61,146 in the last day. There are 294,749 people fully vaccinated with two doses.
Data on variants of concern detected in Ontario
Officials have listed breakdown data for the new VOCs (variants of concern) which consist of the B.1.1.7 (first detected in the United Kingdom), B.1.351 (first detected in South Africa), and P.1 (first detected in Brazil) mutations.
The B.1.1.7 VOC is currently the dominating known strain at 1,175 variant cases, which is up by 39 since yesterday, 48 B.1.351 variant cases which is up by one, and 35 P.1 variant cases which is unchanged, that have been detected so far in the province.
The cumulative case count for a mutation that was detected but the lineage was not determined was 10,995, an increase of 704, the government indicated.
Cases, deaths and outbreaks in Ontario long-term care homes
According to the Ministry of Long-Term Care, there have been 3,753 deaths reported among residents and patients in long-term care homes across Ontario which increased by one death since yesterday. Eleven virus-related deaths in total have been reported among staff.
There are 52 current outbreaks in homes, which is down by seven from the previous day.
The ministry also indicated there are currently 11 active cases among long-term care residents and 98 active cases among staff — down by 13 and down by 10, respectively, in the last day.
Cases among students and staff at Ontario schools, child care centres
Meanwhile, government figures show there have been a total of 10,882 school-related COVID-19 cases in Ontario to date. This is an increase of 132 more cases in the last day — 106 student cases and 36 staff cases.
The COVID-19 cases are currently from 908 out of 4,828 schools in the province. Thirty-eight schools in Ontario are currently closed as a result of positive cases, the government indicated.
There have been a total of 3,167 confirmed cases within child care centres and homes — an increase of 45 (23 new child cases and 22 staff cases). Out of 5,275 child care centres in Ontario, 215 currently have cases and 49 centres are closed.
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