Peel’s COVID-19 numbers decrease as provincial emergency extends for another 14 days

January 28, 2021 · 0 Comments

By ALYSSA PARKHILL

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Peel Region’s COVID-19 number are seeing a slight downward turn, following a decrease of cases Province-wide.

Peel reported 320 new cases on January 26, totalling 52,826 and 530 deaths.

Brampton continues to show the highest numbers out of Peel with a total of 32,920, followed by 18,740 in Mississauga and 2,027 in Caledon.

The stay-at-home order put in place by the Provincial government may be proving its worth as numbers continue to decrease across the province. Ontario reported 1,740 positive cases on Tuesday, with 63 new deaths.

Alongside Peel, fellow hotspots Toronto and York Region showed 677 new cases and 144 in York Region respectively.

There have been 8,433 vaccines administered in Peel Region long-term care homes to residents and staff. In total across Ontario 295,817 have been administered, with 83,285 completed.

Though the recent delay in COVID-19 vaccines due to the notification of reductions in the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine shipments, the Province has had to make specific adjustments and priorities.

Ontario has announced that they will not receive vaccine shipments for the week of January 25 and will receive 26,000 on the first week of February. In order to ensure proper distribution, the Provincial government has organized a plan to protect the provinces most vulnerable.

“Due to the delay in the next shipment of Pfizer vaccine doses, we are ensuring all available supplies are redirected to those who need them most: our residents in long-term care and retirement homes,” said Premier Doug Ford. “I know this will mean that some people may have to reschedule their vaccine appointments, but it is critical that our most vulnerable seniors receive the protection they need as soon as possible.”

First Nations communities, as well as residents at long-term care residences are main priority for distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine.

“Despite ongoing challenges with supply, together with our partners, we continue to vaccinate our most vulnerable as quickly as possible, and we continue to be ready to administer vaccines to Ontarians as soon as we receive them from the federal government,” said Health Minister Christine Elliott. “Until there is sufficient supply to vaccinate every Ontarian who wants to receive one, we continue to urge everyone to stay home and continue to follow public health measures.”

As the Province continues to prepare for further shipments of the vaccine, additional vaccination sites are planned to be expanded as Ontario has stated a goal to have a capacity of 40,000 people per day being vaccinated, a number which will continue to increase as supply becomes more available.