Ontario is reporting its highest single-day number of new COVID cases with 4,456 and 21 deaths.
The number does not reflect actual cases since cases reported after 4 pm won’t be counted until Monday. Also, the number is based on 56,378 tests with another 31,836 tests still pending. The previous high of 4,229 was recorded on April 9.
The highest single-day number of cases reached during the second wave of the virus was 4,249 cases in January. The highest single-day number reached during the first wave was 640 cases.
The province has now reached a positivity rate for the virus of almost 8 per cent, with 1,513 people in hospital. Of those, 605 are in intensive care and 382 on ventilators.
The province is reporting that 94,794 vaccines were administered yesterday, which is well below the 130,000 daily target set by the government.
There have been 112 deaths caused by the virus this week. Of the 21 deaths reported today, 11 are among people over 80, two are in the 40-59 age bracket and one person in the 20-39 age bracket.
Of the more than 387,000 COVID cases reported in the province so far, more than 40,000 are now variants of concern and their mutations.
This week the province imposed a stay-at-home order and launched plans to vaccinate people in high-risk areas, weeks too late according to most expert opinion.
Health Minister Christine Elliott says some 700 pharmacies in addition to the 700 or so already online will be administering the AstraZeneca vaccine by the end of the month.
A total of 7,552 people have died from the virus in Ontario.
The city of Toronto, meanwhile, has announced the opening of three more vaccination sites on Monday, April 12. The Cloverdale Mall, North Toronto Memorial Community Centre and Carmine Stefano Community Centre will be vaccinating eligible residents with confirmed vaccination appointments who are 60 or older or 50 and older from COVID-19 hot spots. You can check your eligibility and book an appointment here.