Ontario reports lowest number of cases since March after concerning upward trend

TORONTO, ON. May 26, 2020 — Today, Ontario reported 287 cases which marks the province’s lowest case count since March 31, after five straight days with case counts over 400. The total number of COVID-19 cases reported by the province has now risen to 26,191.

Meanwhile, Ontario is continuing to post low test numbers, with only 9,875 tests conducted on Monday and 8,170 on the previous day.

Yesterday the province reported 404 cases of COVID-19 while there were 460 new cases reported on Saturday, 412 new cases on Friday, 441 on Thursday, and 413 on Wednesday.

Sadly, Ontario reported 21 more deaths on Monday, raising the province’s virus-related death toll to 2,123.

There have been a total of 26,191 cases of COVID-19 in Ontario to date along with 2,123 deaths. 19,958 have recovered from COVID-19 in Ontario.

Within Long-term care homes, the situation continues to be very grim with 4,892 total cases including 1,703 healthcare workers reported thus far. There have been 1,335 deaths attributed to long-term care homes including 4 staff workers.

 Two more outbreaks were reported in long-term care, bringing the total number of outbreaks to 297.

In terms of hospital patients reported by Ontario Public Health units as of 4 pm yesterday, the number of Ontarians who are currently hospitalized with the virus has dropped to 848 from 859. The number of people in intensive care dipped slightly yesterday to 143, down from 148. There are also 113 patients on ventilators, and that is down 1 from the previous day.

In the GTA, public health units account for 65.1% of all Ontario cases, and healthcare workers represent 4,485 of the province’s total 26,181 cases along with 19,958 recoveries. Case counts in each GTA region are: Halton – 620, Hamilton 631, Peel – 3,977, Durham – 1,387, Toronto – 10,373, York – 2,252.

Toronto has reported 10,373 cases including 177 additional cases yesterday. The city has also recorded 768 deaths and 7,627 recoveries.

Toronto Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Eileen de Villa spoke out about the obscene gathering of approximately 10,000 people at Trinity Bellwoods Park yesterday,” said Dr. de Villa. “I understand that there are questions regarding people who were present at Trinity Bellwoods Park on Saturday and what advice I have for theseindividuals. If you were one of these people, it is possible that you may have been exposed to someone who has COVID-19 infection, but with little or no symptoms, especially if you were within six feet of others having face-to-face conversations. Because of this it is important that you monitor yourself carefully for COVID-19 symptoms for the next 14 days. If you develop any symptoms of COVID-19, please go and get tested immediately,” said Dr. de Villa.

Regarding the City’s ActiveTO plan Dr. de Villa said “Expanding our cycling network through ActiveTO will help protect and promote good health in our city, not only now but for years to come. I look forward to implementing these important initiatives to keep people healthy
and mobile, now and in the future,” said Dr, de Villa. She also said in terms of catching the virus while passing someone on the street, or walking trail or bike path is low, but be sure to give each other space. “Please step aside or pass others quickly when you are out and about, so that we can all create more space for all of us to be active,” said Toronto’s top doctor.

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