COVID-19 cases are expected to continue to rise in Ontario after the province reported a record number of new infections on Friday, a spokesman for the province’s health minister said.
Alexandra Hilkene, a spokeswoman for Christine Elliott, issued a statement Friday after Ontario reported a record number of new cases for the second day in a row.
9,571 cases were reported, beating the previous record set Thursday of 5,790 new infections.
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“Due to the highly communicable nature of the Omicron variant, the number of cases was expected to increase in the winter months,” Hilkene said.
“We expect it to continue to rise over the next few days and weeks as other jurisdictions are seeing similar increases in the per capita case rate.”
Hilkene noted that the effectiveness of the vaccines has meant that despite the increase in cases, there has not been a “corresponding increase” in hospitalizations and intensive care admissions. But he said an increase in ICU admissions is expected in the coming weeks as Omicron spreads, “particularly among the unvaccinated.”
Provincial figures showed that there are 508 people hospitalized with COVID-19 (68 more), 164 of whom are in intensive care due to COVID-19 (five less); 102 people in ICU are on a ventilator (fewer than four).
Before the most recent peak, the largest increase in cases was recorded on April 16, when 4,812 were reported.
At the time, there were 1,955 people hospitalized with COVID-19 and 701 in intensive care due to the virus.
“Investments in Ontario’s hospital capacity have resulted in 600 ICU beds being immediately available with nearly 500 more ICU beds available for increased capacity if needed,” Hilkene added.
“Ontario is poised for an increase in hospital and ICU admissions as we accelerate the rollout of the boost.”
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Hilkene said vaccines remain the best protection against COVID and the province continues to increase its capacity to administer more injections.
On Thursday, 229,743 doses were administered.
Hilkene urged Ontarians to celebrate the holidays safely and follow public health measures. He said the next few weeks will require “continued vigilance.”
“As the province continues to administer booster doses to all Ontario residents age 18 and older over the next few days and weeks, the province has implemented additional public health and workplace safety measures, such as capacity limits. and social gatherings, which will help curb transmission. and continue to safeguard the capacity of the Ontario hospital and ICU, ”he said.
“The medical director of health will continue to review data and evidence and our government will act as necessary to protect our health care system and the health and safety of Ontarians.”
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