Ontario suffers small spike in coronavirus cases, first death of an under 20 year old

There has been a small growth in coronavirus cases in Ontario, with the first death of a patient under the age of 20.

The first fatality under the age of 20 was from a women who was first diagnosed with the virus in on June 20. She was from Toronto.

Having said this, the women died with coronavirus rather than from coronavirus said Toronto Public Health on Tuesday. She was in the 0-9 age category.

"We extend our deepest sympathies to the individual’s family during this difficult and tragic time, and also to everyone who has lost loved ones to this virus," said a provincial health spokesmen.

The province's health officials have moved the total number of cases up to 33,853 after 216 new patients were infected with the virus. On the whole, fewer than 200 new cases have been confirmed in Ontario since June 12.

Addressing the new figures, Ontario's health minister said that "while it’s too early to draw conclusions from a single day of data, we’re watching closely for shifts in COVID-19 trends as we gradually reopen the province’s economy and as local public health officials work quickly to contain any spread."

Since the pandemic started, Ontario has suffered 2,619 deaths—a figure that is much lower than the neighbouring province of Quebec who have recorded 5,424 deaths.

In Canada as a whole, 8,453 people have succumbed to coronavirus, while 102,000 have been infected. More than 472,000 have died from coronavirus globally.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford this week announced that the province is moving ahead with lifting lockdown restrictions, with Toronto and Peel Region moving to stage two of the reopening phase on Wednesday.

Windsor and Essex is the last region in Ontario to remain in stage one.