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COVID-19: Latest developments in the Greater Toronto Area on May 26

Click to play video: 'Toronto increases 1st dose efforts while looking to province for 2nd vaccine direction'
Toronto increases 1st dose efforts while looking to province for 2nd vaccine direction
WATCH ABOVE: Toronto and Peel Region are hitting major milestones when it comes to getting first doses of vaccine into arms. As they continue to move ahead with efforts to get life back to normal, both regions are looking to the province for more clarity on when we can expect a second dose. Matthew Bingley has more. – May 26, 2021

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

York Region hits 70% of adults vaccinated with at least one dose

York Regions says it has reached the 70 per cent milestone for at least one dose of vaccine among adults.

“York Region has hit a significant milestone in our fight against COVID-19 and our rollout of the mass vaccination strategy,” officials said.

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The region said 690,249 doses have been administered to residents so far.

On Tuesday, York Region released around 49,000 new appointments to anyone aged 12 and older. As of Wednesday morning about 9,300 appointments were available with about 3,700 youth-friendly appointments.

COVID-19 outbreak declared at Vaughan supermarket

York Region Public Health staff say there are at least 23 cases of COVID-19 linked to an outbreak at a Vaughan grocery store.

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In a statement released Wednesday afternoon, officials said the outbreak happened at the Concord Food Centre on Centre Street near Dufferin Street.

Anyone who shopped at the store between April 8 and May 21 was encouraged to monitor for COVID-19 symptoms (if more recently to monitor for 14 days after the last visit).

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The outbreak was declared on May 12 after 14 employees tested positive for the virus.

In total, positive cases have been detected in people who live in York and Peel Regions, Toronto and Simcoe-Muskoka.

For the earlier cases, the statement said most of the impacted employees have since recovered.

Status of cases in the GTA

Ontario reported 1,095 new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday.

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Of those:

  • 257 were in Toronto
  • 215 were in Peel Region
  • 101 were in York Region
  • 123 were in Durham Region
  • 27 were in Halton Region
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Ontario reports nearly 1,100 new COVID-19 cases, 23 deaths

Ontario is reporting 1,095 new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday. The provincial total now stands at 526,045.

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The death toll in the province has risen to 8,678 as 23 more deaths were recorded.

Resolved cases increased by 2,371 from the previous day. The government said 24,008 tests were processed in the last 24 hours.

More than 8.3 million COVID-19 vaccine doses were administered. That marked an increase of 135,308 vaccines in the last day. There are 569,317 people fully vaccinated with two doses.

Variants of concern in Ontario

Officials have listed breakdown data for the new VOCs (variants of concern) detected so far in the province which consist of the B.1.1.7 (first detected in the United Kingdom and is currently the dominating known strain), B.1.351 (first detected in South Africa), P.1 (first detected in Brazil).

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The B.1.1.7 VOC: 121,122 variant cases, which is up by 992 since the previous day,

The B.1.351 VOC: 836 variant cases which is up by 19 since the previous day.

The P.1 VOC: 2,505 variant cases which is up by 43 since the previous day.

Cases, deaths and outbreaks in Ontario long-term care homes

According to the Ministry of Long-Term Care, there have been 3,771 deaths reported among residents and patients in long-term care homes across Ontario which is unchanged since yesterday. Thirteen virus-related deaths in total have been reported among staff.

There are 33 current outbreaks in homes, which is down by two from the previous day.

The ministry also indicated there are currently 49 active cases among long-term care residents 95 active cases among staff — down by two and down by seven, respectively, in the last day.

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NOTE: This story will be updated throughout the day.

— With files from The Canadian Press

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