Coronavirus: Toronto mayor supports delay in reopening city as variants spread | FULL

Toronto Mayor John Tory welcomed on Monday Premier Ford’s announcement to gradually reopen Ontario's economy and to delay the process for Toronto until Feb. 22. Tory said he supports the decision and believes it’s necessary to give the city more time to lower its coronavirus case count.

Tory’s comments came with warning from the city’s chief medical officer of health Dr. Eileen de Villa, as she said although there is great uncertainty around new COVID-19 variants, what’s already known “is alarming.”

Dr. de Villa said the city is in a transition from "one pandemic to another" as all three COVID-19 variants from the U.K., South Africa and Brazil now exist in Toronto.

Mayor Tory thanked city’s residents for their sacrifices since the lockdown began and asked them to continue following public health measures in place to ensure a safe reopening.

Dr. de Villa reported 421 new cases of COVID-19 and 414 hospitalizations due to the virus.

There are currently 94 people in ICUs and 13 deaths have been reported in the past 24 hours due to the virus.

For more info, please go to https://globalnews.ca/news/7627151/ontario-coronavirus-phased-reopening-covid-19/

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