The number of COVID cases in Ontario has dropped to its lowest level in more than a month, with the province reporting 11 new COVID-19 deaths.

Health officials reported that 2,155 people have been hospitalized due to the virus, down from 2,230 the previous day, reaching the lowest level since January 5.

Not all hospitals report their data during the weekends, but the number remains significantly lower than the 2,983 hospitalizations reported a week ago.

There are now 486 COVID patients in intensive care units, down from 583 last Friday. There are 283 patients in intensive care on ventilators.

Among the 11 new deaths, the Ministry of Health said all deaths occurred in the past nine days, with six occurring in the preceding three days.

As of Monday, 92.1 percent of Ontario residents aged 12 and over have received at least one dose of the vaccine, and 89.5 percent have received two doses.

A total of 24,392 vaccine doses were administered across the province in the last day. As of Monday, Ontario has administered over 31 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Health officials also reported 2,088 new cases, but Ontario Public Health said the number of infections is much higher due to changes in the province's testing policy.

The province conducted 12,880 tests in the past 24 hours, with a positive test rate of 14.2 percent.

The province began gradually easing health measures in long-term care settings on Monday, with further changes planned on February 21 and March 14.

Editor: Dima Abu Khair