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Who in Ontario will get the COVID-19 vaccine first? Province identifies priority groups as cases surge to a new daily record of 1,925

COVID-19 in Canada
COVID-19 in Canada

For more on today’s top stories and the spread of the novel coronavirus across the country, please refer to our live updates below throughout the day, as well as our COVID-19 news hub.

The Ontario government has identified the priority groups to receive the first doses of COVID-19 vaccines, which the federal government announced Monday could begin to arrive in Canada as early as next week.

The priority groups identified by the province include:

  • Residents, staff, essential caregivers, and other employees of congregate living settings (e.g., long-term care homes and retirement homes) that provide care for seniors

  • Health care workers, including hospital employees and other staff who work or study in hospitals, and other health care personnel

  • Adults in Indigenous communities, including remote communities where risk of transmission is high

  • Adult recipients of chronic home health care

Retired Gen. Rick Hillier, chair of the COVID-19 vaccine distribution task force, said he anticipates the first phase of COVID-19 vaccine distribution, which includes 2.4 million doses expected from both Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna combined, is estimated to last two to three months.

The second phase in the vaccine rollout, expected to begin around the beginning of April when Hillier anticipates the “bulk” of the COVID-19 vaccines will arrive, will last about six to nine months, but possibly longer.

Ontario will prioritize the distribution of vaccines to the regions with the highest rates of COVID-19 infection. At the outset, vaccines are expected to only be available for non-pregnant adults over the age of 18.

“We must deploy these first shipments of a safe and effective vaccine where they will make the most impact and save lives,” a statement from Ontario Premier Doug Ford reads. “That means vaccinating our vulnerable seniors and those who care for them as soon as possible.”

“We are working diligently with General Hillier and the task force to ensure anyone in Ontario who needs a vaccine will get one when we receive them from the federal government. Until then, we are asking people to look out for their elderly loved ones and protect themselves by continuing to follow the public health measures.”

Dr. David Williams, Ontario’s chief medical officer of health, said even individuals in these priority groups who have recovered from COVID-19 will be eligible for a vaccine, due to the the number of outstanding questions there still are about immunity and how long it lasts.

Ontario hits another daily record, nears 2,000 cases

Ontario reported a record 1,925 new COVID-19 cases on Monday, including 601 news cases Toronto, 512 in Peel, 167 in York Region and 133 new cases in Durham. This comes after Ontario reported 1,924 COVID-19 cases on Sunday.

The province also confirmed 26 more COVID-19 deaths, bringing the total to 3,798.

There are 725 people with COVID-19 in Ontario hospitals, including 213 in ICUs.

The province completed 45,283 test in the past day, with 31,238 tests currently under investigation.

Ontario reported 138 new school-related COVID-19 cases, including 109 student cases and 29 staff cases.

Check out our COVID-19 in Canada topic page for latest news, tips, health updates, cases and more.