Province finds 115 new COVID-19 cases, Ottawa adds six

OTTAWA – The province finds itself in triple-digit COVID-19 cases while the city dips to a single digit.

Today (Aug. 23), the province reported 115 new cases, up from the 108 reported yesterday.

Ottawa is reporting six new cases, down from the 14 cases reported Saturday, bringing the total number of cases in the city to 2,815.

The total number of deaths in the province is at 2,797, which remains unchanged from Saturday’s report. There are no new deaths in Ottawa.

There are, eight people in hospital, but no patients in intensive care.

The number of cases active in the city are 140. About 86 per cent of cases have been resolved, or 2,409.

The last time the province didn’t report any new deaths was seven days ago on Aug. 17.

It’s been three days since Ontario reported fewer than 100 new daily cases.

According to Christine Elliott, minister of health, 29 of Ontario’s 34 public health units are reporting five or fewer cases, with 13 of them reporting no new cases. 

However, intensive care admissions and the number of patients on ventilators continue to decline, Elliott said.

There are currently 41 people hospitalized in the province (one less from yesterday), 11 people in the ICU (two less since Saturday), with six on a ventilator (one less since yesterday).

The number of resolved cases is at 37,595 — 108 less since Saturday’s report.

The province has completed 23,284 tests since yesterday, bringing the total number tests processed to 2,762,958.

In Ottawa, there continues to be six outbreaks in healthcare and childcare establishments.

The Ontario government says it will be easing restrictions further by expanding indoor capacity for meetings and event facilities.

According to a statement issued Friday (Aug. 21), facilities can now have up to 50 people for each indoor meeting room or event space within the facility.

The facility, however, would have to stick to a plan approved by the office of the chief medical officer of health.

“As the province gradually and safely reopens, our government is continuing to promote a safe approach to reopening businesses to boost Ontario’s economic and social recovery,” Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries Lisa MacLeod said. “Allowing for multiple meetings or events will allow convention centres, hotels and other professional meeting facilities to welcome back more visitors and employees.”

The current indoor gathering limit will now apply on a per meeting room or event space basis at professional meetings and event facilities — this includes convention centres, hotels, motels, resorts, banquet halls and conference centres.

Outdoor meeting and event facilities will remain at a 100-person capacity, which excludes employees or event personnel.