The number of new daily cases of COVID-19 in Ontario is in decline, while hospitalizations appear to have plateaued over the last few days.
Health Minister Christine Elliott tweeted out the new numbers Wednesday: “Ontario is reporting 1,670 cases of #COVID19 and nearly 55,200 tests completed. Locally, there are 450 new cases in Toronto, 342 in Peel, 171 in York Region and 128 in Niagara.”
It is the lowest single day tally since Nov. 26, three days after Toronto and Peel Region were moved into lockdown and a month before the whole province went into the grey zone.
Ontario Labour Minister Monte McNaughton said the numbers are trending in the right direction.
“But all of us have to remain more vigilant today than at any point during COVID-19 so we can get through this pandemic and get back to life as normal,” McNaughton said Wednesday.
Six public health units reported zero new cases Wednesday, and 13 confirmed fewer than five new cases.
The province confirmed the hospitalization of 1,382 COVID-19 patients, including 377 in intensive care and 291 on ventilators.
While those numbers have remained steady in recent days, they are still well above the threshold that hinders the ability of hospitals to provide full services to all patients, according to public health officials.
The presence of the United Kingdom variant, more contagious and possibly more virulent, has also prompted public health officials to advise Ontarians to continue following public health measures.
Ontario recorded another 49 deaths Wednesday, including 25 more lives lost among residents of long-term-care (LTC) homes.
