Ontario COVID numbers: 1,003 people in hospital, 297 in intensive care

The death toll in the province has risen to 12,386 as 39 more virus-related deaths were added

Ontario is reporting 1,003 people in hospital with COVID on Friday, with 297 in intensive care units as figures continue to trend downward.

This is down by 63 hospitalizations and a decrease of five in ICUs since the previous day. Last Friday, there were 1,281 hospitalizations with 352 in ICU.

The province recently began distinguishing between those who were admitted to hospital directly because of COVID, and those who were admitted for other reasons but tested positive for the virus.

Of the 1,003 people in hospital with COVID-19, 49 per cent of them were admitted because of the virus, while 51 per cent were admitted for other reasons but tested positive for COVID-19.

Of the 297 people in ICUs with the virus, 76 per cent were admitted because of COVID, while 24 per cent were admitted for other reasons.

Meanwhile, Ontario also reported 2,427 new lab-confirmed COVID-19 cases on Friday, though that is an underestimate of the true widespread transmission of the virus due to recent testing restrictions. The provincial case total now stands at 1,096,357.

Of the 2,427 new cases recorded, the data showed 287 were unvaccinated people, 75 were partially vaccinated people, 1,892 were fully vaccinated people. For 173 people the vaccination status was unknown.

The death toll in the province has risen to 12,386 as 39 more virus-related deaths were added. A ministry of health spokesperson said 35 of deaths occurred over the past 28 days. The other four deaths occurred more than a month ago.