TORONTO — Ontario’s health minister says the province is starting to see “glimmers of hope” in its fight against the Omicron variant of COVID-19.
Christine Elliott says because of that, the government will be making an announcement later this week on the public health measures that were put in place earlier this month.
Elliott says cases are expected to peak this month, with a peak in hospitalizations and ICU admissions to follow.
Dr. Kieran Moore, Ontario’s chief medical officer of health, says the rate of hospitalizations and cases in the intensive care unit are increasing at a slower pace.
He says the average length of stay in hospital for COVID-19 patients is now five days with the Omicron variant, compared to nine days with Delta.
Ontario is reporting 4,132 people in hospital today, with COVID-19 and 589 people in intensive care – a decrease in hospitalizations from 4,183 the previous day, but an increase in ICU patients from 580.
There were 59 new deaths reported Wednesday.
Ontario reported 5,744 new cases of COVID-19, though Public Health Ontario has said the number is likely higher because of a current policy restricting who can access tests.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 19, 2022.
The Canadian Press
- Paula Lishman brings Canadian Fur Heritage to Sutton - July 18, 2024
- Portraits of Giving 2024 – Honouring Jim Anderson - July 18, 2024
- Chloe Daniels and Shannon Westlake are off to the 2024 Paris Olympics! - July 17, 2024
