Ontario reports 18,445 new COVID-19 cases on New Year's Day, a pandemic high

Public Health Ontario on Saturdayreported18,445 new COVID-19 cases in the province.

The agency also reported12 new deaths, bringing the provincial death toll to 10,206.

More comprehensive figures will be available on Tuesday, following the holiday. The figures released Saturday arefrom Friday.

The latest case count sets yet another daily high since the pandemic started up from 16,713 reported on New Year's Eve. However, Public Health Ontario warns that number is also likely "an underestimate of the true number of individuals with COVID-19."

The agency says that's because of testing eligibility changes made in an effort to adjust to the fast-moving Omicron variant.

'Rapid and concerning growth'of hospitalizations

Dr. Kevin Smith, president and CEO of theUniversity Health Network in Toronto, tweeted on Saturday about "therapid and concerning growth" of hospitalizations in the province.

Smith asked Health Canada how he could help to get Paxlovid, Pfizer'santiviral COVID-19 pills, "immediately" approved "for emergencyuse."

"We need this powerful tool in our arsenal yesterday," hetweeted.

You can read more about the province's new testing rules here.