Ontario reports 24 deaths, 273 COVID patients in ICUs

Hospitalized COVID cases continue to decrease with 847 COVID-positive patients currently in Ontario hospital beds, according to the latest report.

There are 273 patients in intensive care units (ICUs) because of COVID-related critical illness. There were nearly 600 COVID patients in ICUs at the beginning of February.

The latest COVID updates published by the province reported 24 new deaths, and 1,959 new cases. 

Public Health Ontario has confirmed 1,105,146 cases of COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic, and reported 1,075,692 recoveries and 12,478 deaths.

The March 2 updates provided by the province's public health agency and the ministry of health also reported the following data:

Cases

• 2,411 recoveries since yesterday's report
• Among the new cases confirmed today are 215 unvaccinated people, 49 partially vaccinated people, and 1,522 fully vaccinated people. 173 cases were reported with vaccination status unknown. 
• The seven-day average incidence rate for cases is 10.4 cases per 100,000 unvaccinated people, nine cases per 100,000 partially vaccinated people, and 12.6 cases per 100,000 fully vaccinated people. 

Hospitalizations

• 847 people are in hospital testing positive for COVID-19. Of those, about 44 per cent were admitted to hospital because of COVID-19 related illness, the remaining 56 per cent were admitted for other reasons but test positive for COVID-19. 
• Among the COVID-positive patients in hospital are 199 unvaccinated people, 39 partially vaccinated people, and 476 fully vaccinated people.
• There are approximately 273 patients in Ontario ICUs with COVID-related illnesses, and 233 patients in the ICU currently testing positive for COVID-19.
• There are 165 COVID patients on ventilators because of COVID-related critical illness.
• Included in the ICU totals are 65 unvaccinated people, six partially vaccinated people, and 77 fully vaccinated people.

Vaccination

• About 86 per cent of the population over four years old in Ontario is fully vaccinated (about 12 million people)
• More than seven million people in Ontario have had three doses of a COVID vaccine.
• 10 per cent of the eligible population (aged 5 and up) is unvaccinated

Testing 

• Ontario labs processed 18,094 tests resulting in an 11.8 per cent positivity rate in the latest report. 
• Another 6,312 tests are still being processed.

Northern Ontario

In the north, there are 138 people with COVID-19 in hospital, down from 156 yesterday, according to provincial data. There are 20 people in ICU with the virus, down from 23 yesterday, and 16 people on ventilators, down from 17 yesterday. 

In Northern Ontario, the breakdown of Public Health Ontario data for cases and vaccination is:

• Algoma Public Health: The health unit has reported 5,220 cases, 615 known active cases and 12 hospitalizations. Of the eligible population five years and older, 88 per cent of people have at least one dose of the vaccine and 85 per cent have both doses. Of the population 18 years and older, 61 per cent have a booster.
• North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit: The health unit has reported 3,864 cases, 163 known active cases and five hospitalizations. Of the eligible population five years and older, 86 per cent of people have at least one dose of the vaccine and 82 per cent have both doses. For the eligible population 18 years and older, 59 per cent have a booster.
• Porcupine Health Unit: The health unit has reported 5,540 cases, 325 known active cases and 10 hospitalizations, with one person in ICU. Of the eligible population five years and older, 88 per cent of people have at least one dose of the vaccine and 82 per cent have both doses. For the eligible population 18 years and older, 53 per cent have a booster.
• Public Health Sudbury and Districts: The health unit has reported 11,456 cases, 517 known active cases and 71 hospitalizations, including six people in ICU. It is only updating its numbers Monday, Wednesday and Friday. As of Wednesday, there were 54 hospitalizations. Of the eligible population five years and older, 89 per cent of people have at least one dose of the vaccine and 85 per cent have both doses. For the eligible population 18 years and older, 58 per cent have a booster.
• Timiskaming Health Unit: The health unit has reported 1,182 cases, 23 known active cases, and no hospitalizations. Of the eligible population five years and older, 86 per cent of people have at least one dose of the vaccine and 82 per cent have both doses. For the eligible population 18 years and older, 58 per cent have a booster.
• Northwestern Health Unit: The health unit has reported 5,005 cases and 265 known active cases. Current hospitalizations are not reported. Of the eligible population five years and older, 97 per cent of people have at least one dose of the vaccine and 89 per cent have both doses. For the eligible population 18 years and older, 62 per cent have a booster.
• Thunder Bay District Health Unit: The health unit has reported 8,833 cases, 226 known active cases and 35 hospitalizations, including six people in ICU. The health unit is only updating data Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Of the eligible population five years and older, 89 per cent of people have at least one dose of the vaccine and 85 per cent have both doses. For the eligible population 18 years and older, 59 per cent have a booster.

The data from Northern Ontario health units is based on what was available at 10:30 a.m. today.