There are 14 cases of the U.K. COVID variant in Toronto.

Medical Officer of Health Dr. Eileen de Villa provided that update, along with other COVID case numbers.

“502 confirmed new cases is nothing to celebrate, not many weeks ago, we would have undoubtedly considered 500 confirmed cases to be grim news, it still is,” cautioned Dr. de Villa.  She adds that lower testing levels the last few days could be contributing to the lower number.

The city is also reporting 11 new COVID deaths Wednesday.

All residents in Toronto nursing homes begin getting their second dose of the Moderna vaccines starting Thursday. There are currently 96 outbreaks among the city’s long term care and retirement homes.

Meantime, Mayor John Tory is reaching out to people in need of free mental health supports.

“From April 27th to January 9th, almost 110,500 Torontonians have either called, texted or sent an online message for support,” remarked Tory who adds the calls are becoming more urgent and complex.

He points out that frontline workers can access specific supports by calling 2-1-1.

Meantime, 263 condos and apartments have received complaints about the face covering bylaw.