Hospitalizations jump in Quebec and Ontario

The number of COVID-19-related hospitalizations is continuing to rise in Quebec and Ontario, prompting concerns about the capacity of those province's health-care systems.

Ontario reported 1,646 people in hospital as of today, which is an increase of 133 patients over the previous day's data.

The number of people in intensive care with COVID-19 rose by 14, to 619, with 408 of them needing to be placed on a ventilator.

Toronto's chief medical officer of health says the city could see 2,500 new COVID-19 cases per day by the end of April, even with a stay-at-home order in effect.

Dr. Eileen de Villa says the city is also stepping up its vaccination campaign, but says it's still not enough to offset the impact of highly contagious virus variants that are driving transmission in the city.

Today's #COVID19 #Vaccine update: 758,882 doses have been administered & 3 additional clinics open today at Cloverdale Mall, North Toronto Memorial Centre & Carmine Stefano Community Centre. If you're eligible, please book as soon as you can. More info: https://t.co/riTFzdCVDH https://t.co/8WhmoirBeh

— Dr. Eileen de Villa (@epdevilla) April 12, 2021

Quebec reported a 22-person jump in the number of hospitalizations today and has seen that number rise by 116 in the past week.

Health Minister Christian Dube is urging Quebecers age 55 and up to get vaccinated at walk-in clinics offering the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, as the province works to inoculate essential workers and those with serious underlying health conditions.