Here are the latest developments on the COVID-19 pandemic in the Greater Toronto Area for Monday:
Ontario set to enter reopening plan on June 11
The Ontario government has announced the province will be entering into the long-anticipated COVID-19 reopening plan on June 11, a few days ahead of the target date.
“As we begin to enjoy the benefits of the first step in our roadmap like meeting friends on a patio or visiting your favourite local store, please do so safely by continuing to follow all public health guidelines,” Premier Doug Ford said in a statement Monday afternoon.
Phase one (primarily allowing retails and reopening more outdoor settings with restrictions) was set to begin as soon as 60 per cent of all eligible Ontario adults have received their first COVID-19 vaccine doses (the vaccines currently used in Ontario ultimately require two doses). However, as of June 7, more than 72 per cent of Ontario adults have received at least one dose.
Delta variant will likely become main strain in Ontario, but vaccines can stop spread: officials
Ontario’s associate chief medical officer of health says the Delta COVID-19 variant, first identified in India, will likely become the main strain of the virus in the province, but vaccinations can still stop its spread.
“I think it’s fair to say that Delta strain will become the predominant strain in Ontario, just as has happened in other jurisdictions, particularly the U.K.,” Dr. Barbara Yaffe said.
More Ontarians can book 2nd vaccine shot through provincial system
More Ontarians are eligible to book their second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine through the provincial system today.
Those aged 70 and older, as well as people who received their first dose of an mRNA vaccine on or before April 18, can now book their second shot on the province’s website or through its phone line.
Woodbine Entertainment to hold live standardbred, thoroughbred racing starting Friday
The Ontario government announced Monday the province will enter into its COVID-19 reopening plan starting Friday. That’s slightly ahead of the target day of Monday.
As a result, Woodbine Entertainment revealed Monday standardbred and thoroughbred racing will go Friday without spectators at Woodbine Mohawk Park or Woodbine Racetrack, respectively.
Ontario reports 525 new COVID-19 cases, 15 new deaths
Ontario is reporting 525 new COVID-19 cases on Monday, as case counts continue to trend downward marking the eighth day in a row it’s below 1,000. The provincial total now stands at 536,607.
Monday’s case count is lower than Sunday’s 663 and marks the lowest daily case count since late September. On Saturday, 744 new cases were recorded, 914 on Friday and 870 on Thursday.
The death toll in the province has risen to 8,869 as 15 more deaths were recorded.
Status of cases in the GTA
Ontario reported 525 new COVID-19 cases on Monday.
Of those:
- 114 were in Toronto
- 95 were in Peel Region
- 34 were in York Region
- 40 were in Durham Region
- 26 were in Halton Region
Nearly 117K more vaccine doses administered in Ontario
As of 8 p.m. Sunday, Ontario had administered 10,109,404 COVID-19 vaccine doses, marking an increase of 116,829.
So far, 1,086,805 people in the province are fully vaccinated.
—With files from The Canadian Press