Ministry of Health coronavirus situation report #117

Situation:   

• 413 new cases were reported in Ontario today, bringing the cumulative case count to 24,187 (this includes 18,509 resolved cases and 1,993 deaths).
• In Ontario, a total of 577,682 tests have been completed, with tests performed at Public Health Ontario Laboratories and non-Public Health Laboratories. There are currently 5,051 tests under investigation.
• 984 patients are currently hospitalized with COVID-19; 155 are in ICU; and 117 are in ICU on a ventilator.

 Actions Taken:

• The Ontario government is quickly moving forward with innovative research to prevent, detect and treat COVID-19. These projects, part of the government’s $20 million Ontario COVID-19 Rapid Research Fund, focus on areas of research such as vaccine development, diagnostics, drug trials and development, and social sciences. Additionally, Ontario is leading the country with 22 clinical trials investigating COVID-19 vaccines and treatments.
• The CMOH Directive 3 has been revised to provide additional direction on hospital transfers to retirement homes and long-term care homes, testing within 24 hrs of new admissions and re-admissions, minimizing work locations of volunteers and contractors, and sharing of IPAC assessment results and reports. It is attached here and will be posted soon on the Ministry’s website.
• The Ministry continues to work on the revision of Directive #2 and related requirements to support the gradual restoration of health services. Please note that CMOH Directive #2 is still in effect. Providers are encouraged to continue planning and further details will be provided once confirmed.