Ontario reports 514 new cases of COVID-19 Thursday

Ontario is reporting 514 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 Thursday, including 38 new deaths.

The provincial total has now reached nearly 9,000, with 4,194 resolved cases and 423 deaths.

The number of people in hospital rose slightly to 807, with 248 in the intensive care unit (ICU).

Of those patients in the ICU, 200 are on a ventilator to assist with breathing.

The province says a total of 128,093 tests have been completed since Jan. 15, with 9,001 being done on Wednesday. There are currently 4,323 cases under investigation.

The virus continues to spread in long term care homes in the province. Six more outbreaks have been declared at Ontario facilities, increasing the total number to 104.

Many of the illnesses and deaths in this province have happened in long-term care facilities.

Earlier this week, the provincial government issued an emergency order preventing long-term care staff from working at multiple homes.