Here are the latest developments on the coronavirus pandemic in the Greater Toronto Area for Wednesday:
Ontario to discuss new restrictions for Toronto, Peel and York
Ontario Premier Doug Ford says the provincial government will be considering new restrictions for Toronto, Peel Region, and York Region amid high coronavirus rates in those areas.
“The virus is spreading at an alarming rate in these areas.”
-
![]()
Coronavirus: Ontario to add 13 additional Health Teams across the province -
![]()
Coronavirus: Ford responds to statement that winter break will not be extended for Ontario students -
![]()
‘Guys, get it together’: Ford expresses frustration with individuals not following COVID-19 measures -
![]()
Coronavirus: Ontario sending rapid COVID-19 tests to ‘areas with greatest need,’ Ford says
Staff member at Toronto school dies from COVID-19
A child and youth worker with the Toronto Catholic District School Board has died after contracting coronavirus, sources confirm to Global News.
The sources said the educational employee, a woman, worked at St. Francis De Sales Catholic School which is located just south of Jane Street and Finch Avenue West.
The source added that the woman had a pre-existing condition and did not go to any other school.
Get weekly health news
Toronto Public Health wouldn’t confirm if the employee acquired the virus at the school or in the community, citing a right to privacy.
Status of cases in the GTA
Ontario reported a total of 1,417 new coronavirus cases on Wednesday.
Of those:
- 410 were in Toronto
- 463 were in Peel Region
- 178 were in York Region
- 40 were in Durham Region
- 63 were in Halton Region
Ontario reports 1,417 new COVID-19 cases, 32 deaths
Ontario reported 1,417 new cases of coronavirus on Wednesday, bringing the provincial total to 98,162.
The death toll in the province has risen to 3,415 as 32 more deaths were reported — which is the highest number of deaths since the second wave of the pandemic began.
More than 33,400 tests were processed in the last 24 hours. Resolved cases increased by 1,495 from the previous day.
Extending winter school break ‘not necessary,’ Ontario education minister says
Ontario students won’t have a longer winter break after all, with the province saying Wednesday that its COVID-19 protocols for schools are enough to keep kids safe at this time.
A day after saying the government was considering a prolonged break or starting the new year with a stretch of online learning, Education Minister Stephen Lecce announced that an extended holiday break is “not necessary.”
Ontario expecting to receive total of 2.4 million doses of Pfizer, Moderna vaccines by March
Ontario’s health minister says the province is expecting to receive a total of 2.4 million doses of the Pfizer and Moderna coronavirus vaccines by March.
Christine Elliott said that Ontario will likely get 1.6 million doses from Pfizer and 800,000 from Moderna between January and March.
Read more: Ontario expecting to receive total of 2.4 million doses of Pfizer, Moderna vaccines by March
Ontario long-term care homes
According to the Ministry of Long-Term Care, there have been 2,109 deaths reported among residents and patients in long-term care homes across Ontario which is an increase of 17 deaths.
There are 100 current outbreaks in homes, a decrease of eight.
Ontario child care centres and schools
Government figures show there have been a total of 3,626 school-related COVID-19 cases in Ontario — 2,077 among students and 461 among staff (1,088 individuals were not identified). This is an increase of 109 more cases from the previous day.
There have been a total of 639 confirmed cases within child care centres and homes — an increase of 25 (13 child cases and 12 staff cases.)
— With files from The Canadian Press
Comments
Want to discuss? Please read our Commenting Policy first.