Ontario reports 278 COVID patients in ICUs, 16 new deaths

For the third consecutive day, there are fewer than 1,000 COVID-positive patients in Ontario hospitals.

The latest COVID updates published by the province report 16 new deaths, 1,176 new cases and approximately 914 COVID-positive patients in Ontario hospitals. New case counts are underestimated.

There are 278 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.

Today in Ontario, the vaccine passport is no longer required, although businesses may choose to still ask for proof of vaccination. Businesses can also operate at full capacity. Masking is still required.

Public Health Ontario has confirmed 1,103,187 cases of COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic, and reported 1,073,281 recoveries and 12,451 deaths.

The March 1 updates provided by the province's public health agency and the ministry of health also reported the following data:

Cases

• 1,881 recoveries since yesterday's report
• Among the new cases confirmed today are 165 unvaccinated people, 21 partially vaccinated people, and 858 fully vaccinated people. 166 cases were reported with vaccination status unknown. 
• The seven-day average incidence rate for cases is 10.4 cases per 100,000 unvaccinated people, 8.9 cases per 100,000 partially vaccinated people, and 12 cases per 100,000 fully vaccinated people. 

Hospitalizations

• 914 people are in hospital testing positive for COVID-19. Of those, about 45 per cent were admitted to hospital because of COVID-19 related illness, the remaining 55 per cent were admitted for other reasons but test positive for COVID-19. 
• Among the COVID-positive patients in hospital are 219 unvaccinated people, 28 partially vaccinated people, and 514 fully vaccinated people.
• There are approximately 278 patients in Ontario ICUs with COVID-related illnesses, and 234 patients in the ICU currently testing positive for COVID-19.
• There are 162 COVID patients on ventilators because of COVID-related critical illness.
• Included in the ICU totals are 63 unvaccinated people, five partially vaccinated people, and 88 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 6.99 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 13,087 tests resulting in a 10.3 per cent positivity rate in the latest report. 
• Another 5,767 tests are still being processed.

Northern Ontario

In the north, there are 156 people with COVID-19 in hospital, up from 132 yesterday, according to provincial data. There are 23 people in ICU with the virus, up from 22 yesterday, and 17 people on ventilators, which is the same as yesterday. 

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

• Algoma Public Health: The health unit has reported 5,156 cases, 598 known active cases and 16 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 3,815 cases, 171 known active cases and six 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 5,525 cases, 345 known active cases and nine 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 1,176 cases, 22 known active cases, and one hospitalization. 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 4,896 cases and 233 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 8,703 cases, 242 known active cases and 49 hospitalizations, including eight 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.