Number of deaths still high even though new COVID cases continue downward trend in Ontario

 

The daily number of new COVID-19 cases continue to drop in Ontario, but the virus is killing people at an alarming rate.

Today, Ontario reports 1,563 new cases, down drastically since a few short weeks ago when the daily numbers touched 4,000.

However, today, the province is reporting 88 deaths, the second highest total recorded in a single day since the pandemic began. Of the deaths, 36 of the people lived in long-term care facilities.

While local officials are buoyed by the declining daily count, the number of deaths is still cause for alarm, they say, as it shows the virus is still very much prevalent and could be taking on different forms through the new variants. It also shows the elderly are still vulnerable and that strident measures must be followed to keep them safe.

In Peel today, new cases jumped back up to 245 cases following yesterday's total of 199.

Other areas of note are Toronto with 584 cases, York Region 132, Halton Region 58 new cases and Hamilton with 78.

Hospitalizations are also declining with 1,101 people currently receiving care across the province. Of those, 323 people are in intensive care units with 241 patients requiring ventilation.