The province confirmed that it will make changes to the way it reports COVID-19 data as public health measures ease and Ontario begins "managing COVID-19 in the long term."

Data released by regional health officials today indicate that there are now 751 COVID-19 patients receiving treatment in Ontario hospitals, down from 779 on Tuesday and 847 seven days ago.

This includes 241 COVID-19 patients in intensive care, down from 273 patients last Wednesday.

According to the province, 46 percent of COVID patients in hospital were admitted because of the virus, while 54 percent were admitted for other reasons. In the ICU, 82 percent were admitted due to the virus, while 18 percent were admitted for other reasons but tested positive for COVID-19.

27 new virus-related deaths were confirmed by the province today.

An additional 1,947 cases were confirmed by provincial labs today, including 207 cases involving unvaccinated people and 1,579 cases involving people with at least two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine. The province says 36 cases today involve partially vaccinated people and 125 cases relate to people with unknown vaccination status.

It is worth noting that the daily reported case count by the province does not accurately reflect the true number of infections in Ontario due to restrictions placed on who is eligible for testing.

With 17,571 tests processed over the past 24 hours, Ontario reported a positivity rate of 10.9 percent, down from 11.8 percent a week ago.

Officials confirmed on Wednesday that changes to testing guidelines have caused "some indicators to become less accurate," including the average number of infections as well as outbreaks in low-risk settings.

As of Friday, the province will no longer report the average number of case increases in Ontario.

The province will also change the way virus-related deaths are reported starting March 11.

According to officials, deaths will now be classified by "type of death," including whether COVID was the cause of death, contributed to death, or if the cause of death is unknown or uncertain.

Officials confirmed that deaths will be removed from the cumulative total if it is determined they are unrelated to COVID-19.

Deaths will also be classified by vaccination status from now on.

Officials say some "key indicators," such as the positivity rate, hospitalizations, and ICU admissions, remain relevant measures for reporting on the epidemic response in the province and informing it.

The province said the Ministry of Health "will study when to change the reporting frequency."

These changes come as the province continues to ease public health restrictions, including mask mandates in most public places in less than two weeks.

As of March 21, masks will no longer be required in restaurants, retail stores, and inside schools.

Officials said higher vaccination rates and access to antiviral drugs in Ontario mean the province has the tools it needs "to manage the impact of this virus."

The province says it is moving towards a "long-term approach" that would provide a "more balanced response" to the pandemic.

But some experts still believe it is too soon to lift mask mandates at this time.