COVID-19: Latest developments in the Greater Toronto Area on March 24

Here are the latest developments on the COVID-19 pandemic in the Greater Toronto Area for Wednesday.

The City of Toronto says to date, 403,902 doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered.

“We are the first and only health unit in Ontario to distribute more than 400,000 doses of vaccine — the next nearest health units are Peel and York Region who have both distributed just over 100,000 doses,” Mayor John Tory said on Wednesday.

Officials said those born in 1946 and earlier (75+) are being vaccinated at four City-operated mass immunization clinics — Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Toronto Congress Centre and Scarborough Town Centre. On Wednesday, Thorncliffe Park Community Hub opened for inoculations.

The city said as of Tuesday evening, 48,159 people have booked COVID-19 vaccination appointments at the city-operated clinics. People who are over the age of 60 can also book through participating pharmacies.

Toronto Public Health says officials have recommended the temporary dismissal of all cohorts at Our Lady of Victory Catholic School, located near Jane Street and Eglinton Avenue.

Officials said the recommendation was made due to an ongoing COVID-19 investigation.

According to data from the Toronto Catholic District School Board, there are 12 active COVID-19 cases at the school, which is now closed.

Ontario has laid out a $186 billion spending plan aimed at fighting COVID-19, helping small businesses, and supporting families.

Get weekly health news

Receive the latest medical news and health information delivered to you every Sunday.

Sign up for weekly health newsletter Sign Up

By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

The budget issued by the Progressive Conservative government on Wednesday projects a deficit of $33.1 billion for the year, with the province saying it will take until 2029 to balance the books.

The spending plan contains $6.7 billion for pandemic-related measures, including $1 billion for the vaccine effort, and an additional $2.3 billion for testing and contact tracing this year.

1:55 How the Ontario budget could impact you

• How the Ontario budget could impact you
• Ontario budget provides support for small businesses, but some excluded
• Ontario Budget 2021-22: Provincial deficit projected to be $33.1 B
• Ontario Budget 2021-22: Province to ramp up COVID-19 testing, has spent $3.7B since beginning of pandemic
• Ontario Budget 2021-22: Province to spend more than $1B for its vaccination plan
• Ontario Budget 2021-22: Total provincial response to COVID-19 is $51B, says finance minister

Previous Video

Next Video

Ontario reported a total of 1,571 new coronavirus cases on Wednesday.

Of those:

• 459 were in Toronto
• 309 were in Peel Region
• 143 were in York Region
• 86 were in Durham Region
• 28 were in Halton Region

Ontario is reporting 1,571 new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, bringing the provincial total to 333,690.

The death toll in the province has risen to 7,263 as 10 more deaths were recorded.

The government said 51,962 tests were processed in the last 24 hours. Resolved cases increased by 1,531 from the previous day.

As of 8 p.m. on Tuesday, the provincial government reported administering 1,676,150 COVID-19 vaccine doses, representing an increase of 72,451 in the last day which is the most vaccine doses given out in a single day so far. There are 302,664 people fully vaccinated with two doses.

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 has remained unchanged for several days.

There are 52 current outbreaks in homes, which is unchanged from the previous day.

The ministry also indicated there are currently 11 active cases among long-term care residents and 104 active cases among staff — up by one and up by five, respectively, in the last day.

Government figures show there have been a total of 11,682 school-related COVID-19 cases in Ontario to date. This is an increase of 257 more cases in the day — 209 student cases, 47 staff cases and one individual was not identified.

The COVID-19 cases are currently from 1,011 out of 4,828 schools in the province. Forty-three schools in Ontario are currently closed as a result of positive cases, the government indicated.

There have been a total of 3,362 confirmed cases within child care centres and homes — an increase of 74 (49 new child cases and 25 staff cases). Out of 5,279 child care centres in Ontario, 257 currently have cases and 56 centres are closed.

— With files from The Canadian Press