Ontario sees drop in COVID hospitalizations and ICU admissions, 70 new deaths
CBC
Ontario reported drops in both overall hospitalizations and admissions to intensive care for COVID-19 patients on Thursday, ahead of a scheduled update from the province's chief medical officer of health.
Dr. Kieran Moore's news conference, set for 3 p.m. ET, comes one week after the provincial government announced its plan to gradually lift public health measures.
It's also Moore's last regularly scheduled public appearance before restrictions are set to ease on Monday.
You'll be able to watch the update live in this story.
The Ministry of Health said this morning that, as of yesterday, there were 3,645 people with COVID-19 in hospitals. That's down from 4,016 the day before and 4,061 at the same time last week.
About 56 per cent of those patients were admitted for COVID-related illnesses while 44 per cent were already in hospital when they tested positive for the virus, according to the ministry.
There were 599 patients with COVID-19 who required intensive care, a second straight day the overall number has fallen. It's down from 608 the day before but up slightly from the same time last week.
Roughly 82 per cent of the people with COVID-19 in ICUs were admitted for reasons directly related to the virus.
The health ministry also reported another 70 deaths of people with the virus, bringing the official toll to 11,230.
More Ontarians with COVID-19 have died this month than in any other month since last January. January 2022 is currently on track to be among the deadliest months of the entire pandemic in the province.
Meanwhile, on Monday, indoor social gathering limits are set to increase from five to 10, and restaurants will be able to reopen their dining rooms at 50 per cent capacity.
Theatres will also be able to reopen, and "spectator areas" such as arenas and concert venues will be able to welcome back as many as 500 guests, or 50 per cent of their usual seated capacity — whichever is less.
Restrictions are due to ease further on Feb. 21, COVID-19 situation allowing, with indoor gathering limits increasing to 25.
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