Most public health indicators continue to point to a decrease in COVID-19 viral activity, even as children's hospitals in Ontario struggle to manage the influx of patients with other upper respiratory infections, such as influenza and RSV.

Latest data released by the Ministry of Health on Thursday also showed that the number of people hospitalized due to the novel coronavirus dropped to 1,166, of whom 130 required intensive care.

This represents a 16 percent decrease from this time last week when 1,390 people tested positive for COVID-19 in Ontario hospitals, including 119 in intensive care.

Meanwhile, positivity rates continue to decline.

Over the past seven days, an average of 10.5 percent of polymerase chain reaction tests processed by Ontario laboratories came back positive, compared to 11.6 percent the previous week and 13.7 two weeks ago. Wastewater surveillance now indicates decreased COVID-19 activity since early November.

However, Ontario Public Health warned that flu activity has "exceeded the threshold" so far for the start of flu season and has begun to put pressure on hospitals.

Also, Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kieran Moore expressed concern about the "triple threat" posed by coronavirus, influenza, and RSV amid reports that some children's hospitals, including the Children's Hospital, have already had to limit surgeries in an effort to provide capacity in their intensive care units.

"We have been talking about this since spring 2022. We didn't need a crystal ball to see this coming as we knew it would be a fall and winter full of challenges, and we are in the middle of it now," infectious disease specialist Dr. Isaac Bogoch told CP24 on Thursday, adding: "Unfortunately, I think we have to keep ourselves safe as it will be a very turbulent journey over the next few months."

As of today, there were 64 active COVID outbreaks in hospitals (down from 80) and 122 active outbreaks in long-term care homes (down from 139). But with many respiratory viruses circulating now, the healthcare system is expected to face ongoing pressure throughout the winter.

Speaking with CP24, Bogoch said it is "obviously no longer 2020," as most people have been vaccinated or have some level of protection from previous infections. But he said people still need to make "smart decisions," especially if they are at greater risk.

Ontario also added 89 new deaths to the COVID-19 toll over the past week. The total number of deaths since the pandemic began nearly three years ago now stands at 15,176.