Cases high for second day in Middlesex-London, SWPH up again
The Middlesex-London Health Unit (MLHU) is reporting 27 new COVID-19 cases Thursday, while Southwestern Public Health (SWPH) saw 29 new cases.
On Wednesday, there were 22 new cases in Middlesex-London and 13 in Elgin and Oxford counties, the areas covered by SWPH.
Middlesex-London now has a total of 14,934 cases and 252 related deaths (none new), with 14,514 cases resolved leaving 168 active. The seven-day moving average climbed to 18.9 from 18 on Wednesday.
Of the cases with an episode date in the past six weeks, 50.4 per cent are among the unvaccinated, partially vaccinated or those not yet protected by the vaccine. The same group also accounts for 57.9 per cent of hospitalizations and 71.4 per cent of deaths.
The London Health Sciences Centre says it is caring for 18 inpatients with COVID-19, four fewer in the last 24 hours, while the number of cases in in adult Critical Care dropped by one to eight.
Outbreaks are ongoing at two post-secondary residences: Western University's Saugeen-Maitland Hall Residence and Fanshawe College's Merlin House Residence.
The MLHU says it will begin taking appointments for booster doses, for which the province expanded eligibility on Thursday, starting on Dec. 13. They are also available through pharmacies and primary care providers.
Acting Medical Officer of Health Dr. Alex Summers is encouraging people to get their third shot, although he recognizes uptake will not be as high for booster doses as for first and second doses.
Meanwhile SWPH is reporting 29 new cases Thursday in Elgin and Oxford counties, more than double the 13 reported Wednesday. Currently, eight patients are in hospital, down from 12 on Wednesday, and five are in Critical, two more in the last 24 hours.
The majority of active cases are in St. Thomas, which has 54 active cases, followed by Woodstock with 29 and Tillsonburg with 25.
Active outbreaks continue at the Aylmer Retirement Residence and at Caressant Care Bonnie Place in St. Thomas.
Five schools in the region are in outbreak including; St. Joseph's Catholic School, Westfield Public School and Glendale High School, all three of which are in Tillsonburg, Pierre Elliott Trudeau French Immersion Public School in St. Thomas and Woodstock Christian School.
REGIONAL COVID-19 COUNTS
Here are the most recently available numbers from other local public health authorities:
- Elgin-Oxford – 29 new, 169 active, 5,411 total, 5,143 resolved, 99 deaths (one new)
- Grey-Bruce – nine new, 48 active, 2,550 total, 2,475 resolved, 23 deaths
- Haldimand-Norfolk – one new, 108 active, 3,491 total, 3,319 resolved, 56 deaths
- Huron-Perth – 12 new, 69 active, 2,580 total, 2,442 resolved, 70 deaths
- Sarnia-Lambton – 10 new, 43 active, 4,394 total, 4,274 resolved, 77 deaths
An outbreak at Bluewater Health in Sarnia has finally been declared over, with fewer than five staff and the same number of patients affected.
Ontario health officials reported 959 new COVID-19 cases across the province Thursday and seven more deaths.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Average hourly wage in Canada now $34.95: StatCan
Average hourly wages among Canadian employees rose to $34.95 on a year-over-year basis in April, a 4.7 per cent increase, according to a Statistics Canada report released Friday morning.
Magnitude 4.2 earthquake reported off Vancouver Island's west coast
A 4.2-magnitude earthquake was recorded west of Vancouver Island early Friday morning.
This iconic Canadian song is turning 50
Andy Kim's 'Rock Me Gently' is marking a major milestone, as it celebrates its 50th anniversary.
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
Her SUV was stolen in Montreal. A Good Samaritan on Facebook helped her get it back
Just as she had feared, a restaurant owner from eastern Quebec who visited Montreal had her SUV stolen, but says it was all thanks to the kindness of strangers on the internet — not the police — that she got it back.
Oprah Winfrey: I set an unrealistic standard for dieting
Oprah Winfrey said on Thursday evening that she has long played a role in promoting unhealthy and unrealistic diets.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Toronto police called to Drake's Bridle Path mansion for another alleged intruder on Thursday
Toronto police say a man who allegedly attempted to access Drake’s Bridle Path property was taken to hospital on Thursday after an altercation with security guards.
Flat tire on a highway? Here's why you shouldn't try to fix it
If you're cruising down a highway and realize you have a flat tire, you may want to think twice before stopping to fix it on the side of the road.