Ontario recorded 62 deaths from COVID-19 over the past seven days, as hospitalizations rose to their highest point since mid-May and test positivity among those still eligible appeared to have peaked.
The Ministry of Health says it is aware of 62 new deaths from COVID-19 in the past 30 days, and of these, 24 were residents of long-term care homes.
193 deaths have been detected in the last 30 days and 13,555 in total.
Meanwhile, hospitals had 1,483 patients admitted for or with COVID-19 as of Thursday, up from 985 a week ago.
Of these, 126 were in intensive care, compared to 118 a week ago.
Fifty-five were breathing with the help of a ventilator, up from 28 a week ago.
Hospitalizations are now at their highest point since May 11.
Test positivity among those still eligible for PCR testing rose from 14.9% a week ago to 16% on Monday, before falling to 15% today.
Monday’s positivity reading was the highest seen in Ontario since April 23.
Ontario’s COVID-19 Scientific Advisory Panel cited wastewater surveillance data showing viral prevalence is increasing in Toronto, the GTA and west-central Ontario, but decreasing east of ‘Ontario and eastern GTA.
They also say almost all of Ontario’s 34 public health units are experiencing exponential growth in infections.
Coinciding with the opening of the fourth COVID-19 vaccine eligibility for all adults, the province says it administered nearly 199,000 vaccine doses in the past seven days, compared to just 92,000 the week before.
Of these, 5,600 were first doses, 6,050 were second doses, 15,523 were third doses and 171,761 were fourth doses.