Ontario reports 409 new COVID-19 cases, one new death

Ontario is reporting 409 new cases of COVID-19 and one new death.

Numbers reported Thursday mark a 22 per cent increase from the previous day’s report.

Toronto, Ottawa and Peel continue to lead the province in new cases, according to Minister of Health Christine Elliott.

Elliott also notes 63 per cent of the new cases are in people under the age of 40.

Ontario is reporting 409 cases of #COVID19 as more than 30,600 tests were completed. Locally, there are 151 new cases in Toronto with 82 in Ottawa and 46 in Peel. 63% of today’s cases are in people under the age of 40.

— Christine Elliott (@celliottability) September 24, 2020

Hospitalizations have remained steady at 88, with 27 patients in ICU and 11 of those on ventilators.

Another 286 cases have been added to the resolved tally and the death toll now sits at 2,836.

There are 3,774 active cases of COVID-19 in Ontario.

The new figures come as Doug Ford’s office says one of the premier’s junior staff members has tested positive for COVID-19.

Earlier today, a junior member of my tour team tested positive for COVID-19. I had no close contact or prolonged exposure to them and will therefore closely monitor my symptoms and take appropriate action as needed. I wish this member of my team a speedy and safe recovery.

— Doug Ford (@fordnation) September 24, 2020

It says the staffer is part of Ford’s tour team, which organizes his appearances while travelling.

Meanwhile, 31 new cases have been reported in schools with 24 student cases and 3 staff cases.

Four of the cases have not been identified.