BREAKING: Ontario reporting 978 new COVID-19 cases today, six new deaths

 

Ontario is reporting a new single-day high of 978 new cases of COVID-19 today, along with six new deaths linked to the novel coronavirus.

Most of the new diagnoses are in the four provincial hot spots of Ottawa, Toronto and neighbouring Peel and York Regions, where stricter public health measures have taken effect over the past two weeks.

But today's numbers show high case loads in other Toronto-area regions facing the prospect of moving back to a modified Stage 2 of the province's pandemic recovery plan.

While Toronto recorded 348 cases and Peel reported 170, nearby Durham Region posted 51 new diagnoses in the past 24 hours while Halton Region saw 21.

Premier Doug Ford has said the government would review the situation in Halton, Durham Region and other areas where case numbers are climbing and outline next steps on Monday.

A group of politicians from Halton are asking the province's top doctor to reconsider imposing restrictions, saying the region still has the hospital capacity to handle more cases.

A letter signed by municipal and provincial leaders with ties to the region asked Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. David Williams to target certain high-risk activities and locations rather than impose blanket restrictions.