On Monday, Ontario is reporting a record 700 new COVID-19 infections, continuing the trend of an alarming uptick in infections, especially in Ottawa, Peel Region and Toronto. 60% of today’s cases are in people under the age of 40.
The Ontario Hospital Association released a statement today saying, “With Ontario reporting 700 new COVID-19 infections today, the Ontario Hospital Association (OHA) is calling on the Government of Ontario to immediately intensify public health measures in certain areas of the province, including Toronto, all regions of the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and Ottawa. A return to Stage 2, with restrictions on indoor dining and bars, places of worship, weddings, gyms, movie theatres, and other non-essential businesses, is needed now to keep schools open and prevent a further acceleration of infections.”
The statement by OHA further added, “Hospital occupancy levels are rising quickly in Ontario. A great deal of the stand-by capacity created at the onset of the pandemic last spring has already been filled. Currently, the acute care occupancy rate is 89 per cent with several hospitals hovering around the 100 per cent level.”
Further more, OHA reiterated, “Ontario hospitals understand that a return to Stage 2 comes at a serious cost to thousands of businesses and their employees, and we must do more than simply appreciate their sacrifices. Employers will require additional help from various levels of government. However, emerging evidence clearly illustrates that indoor settings like bars and restaurants have become significant drivers of rising COVID-19 cases. Moreover, keeping these settings open while restricting private gatherings sends a confusing message to the public.”
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau reminded his social media followers via Twitter to use the COVID Alert app.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford called the province’s record-setting new case count Monday for COVID-19 “deeply concerning” but announced no new public health measures, despite calls by a group of doctors and medical experts calling for a return to Stage 2.
On Saturday, Toronto Police reported an anti-mask protest convening at city’s Yonge-Dundas Square on Saturday afternoon.
Taking note of this event, Toronto Mayor John Tory tweeted, “There was an anti-mask protest downtown today. My statement: We are in the middle of a pandemic and the numbers of new cases are going in the wrong direction. Wearing a mask helps keep everyone safer.“
On Saturday, Toronto Public Health was notifying staff and patrons who visited the Yonge Street Warehouse located at 336 Yonge St., Toronto, about potential exposure to COVID-19. The period for potential exposure is September 10 to September 17.
The Health Minister, Christine Elliot, stated in her tweet today, “Ontario is reporting 700 cases of #COVID19 with more than 41,100 tests completed. Locally, there are 344 new cases in Toronto with 104 in Peel, 89 in Ottawa and 56 in York Region. 60% of today’s cases are in people under the age of 40.“
Public Health Ontario Highlights (Report Date: September 28):
There are a total of 50,531 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ontario reported to date.
Compared to the previous day, this represents:
An increase of 700 confirmed cases (percent change of +42.6%)
An increase of 1 death (percent change of -50.0%)
An increase of 331 resolved cases (percent change of +14.5%)
New cases in Peel: 104, Toronto: 344, York Region: 56, Halton Region: 15
Total active cases in Ottawa: 89, Windsor-Essex: 3, Hamilton: 13, Waterloo: 9
The number of new tests done: 41,111
Source: Public Health Ontario
If there is a discrepancy between numbers reported by Public Health Ontario and those reported publicly by a Public Health Unit, it is because the Public Health Unit hasn’t yet updated their numbers in iPHIS. In that case, consider the number reported by the Public Health Unit to be the most up to date.
Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie tweeted, “Today’s 700 new #COVID19 cases across the province are deeply concerning. The GTA continues to be the most heavily impacted. We can’t get casual or complacent. Please think before you gather and shrink your bubble to the people most essential in your lives. We can beat this!”
As of September 28, at 10:30 am, there are now 223 Schools that have reported COVID-19 cases in Ontario with a cumulative case count of 272. Out of the 223 schools that have reported COVID-19 cases, one remains closed down. The latest updates relating to child-care centres and school cases are updated here.
At 7:00 pm on Sunday, the count of total cases of COVID-19 in Canada was 153,125 on September 27, 2020. The count of cases recovered from COVID-19 in Canada was 131,098 as of September 27, 2020. The count of active cases of COVID-19 in Canada was 12,759 as of September 27, 2020.
Across the globe, the US reported 33,782 new cases, Brazil 14,194 new cases and India registered an increase of 82,767 new cases. Pakistan reported 694 new cases yesterday.
For the latest on COVID-19 in Ontario, visit the official website.
For the latest on COVID-19 in Quebec, visit the official website (English), or here (French)
For the latest on COVID-19 in Toronto, visit the official website.
For the latest on COVID-19 in Peel Region, visit the official website.
Cover Photo: Shawn Goldberg / Shutterstock.com
