The Department of Health says there are now just 536 people with COVID-19 in Ontario hospitals, up from 669 last week and 948 two weeks ago.
Of these individuals, 110 are receiving intensive care treatment, including 73 ventilators.
It is the lowest number of patients with COVID-19 in mechanical respirators since November 2020.
The latest figures come as Ontario Chief Medical Officer of Health.  Dr.  Kieran Moore tells CP24 he expects it to be a “wonderful summer” for the province after more than two years of pandemic restrictions.
“We are in a safer position than we were and the Ontarians continue to follow all best practices.  “So 10,000 patients a day continue to come in to stay informed about their vaccinations, even today,” Moore said.  “I have to thank all the people of Ontario because we are in this position only because the people of Ontario have received treatment.  “They have accepted the vaccine and they have accepted the mask where it is needed and I think we are now heading towards summer where we can remove the obligatory nature of the mask and the people of Ontario will remain vigilant and careful as we approach autumn.”
Hospital admissions in Ontario have been steadily declining for almost two months, reaching a peak of 1,730 at the end of April.
Nearly all other public health indicators are also showing signs of improvement, with wastewater monitoring data continuing to show declining viral activity across Ontario.
In this context, the Ford government has decided to lift the mask mandate in most remaining high-risk environments by midnight, although it will remain in place for long-term care and nursing homes.
Speaking to CP24.com this week, the head of the Ontario COVID-19 Advisory Science Board said he hoped we were now entering a “good summer” that would give overworked health professionals a chance to catch their breath.
But he warned that there is always the possibility of a resurgence in the fall.
“On average, since the pandemic started, one of these variants and a wave occurs about every six months.  So if this continues – we just had this Omicron wave – it would take us about six months into the fall and it would be time to worry, with people spending more time indoors as the weather gets colder, the kids going back to “School, other respiratory viruses – flu, RSV as well,” said Dr. Fahad Razak.  “So we could have a very difficult autumn and winter season and if things get very difficult, a lot of hospital admissions, a lot of people get sick, I think we need to seriously reconsider all public health measures, including extending the order mask and their re-introduction into other settings “.
Ontario added 10 more deaths to its COVID-19 report on Friday.  Since the pandemic began in March 2020, a total of 13,324 Ontarians have died as a result of COVID-19.