Middlesex-London surpasses 15,000 COVID-19 cases
The Middlesex-London Health Unit (MLHU) is reporting 36 new COVID-19 cases Monday, while Southwestern Public Health (SWPH) is reporting 85 new cases over the weekend.
Over the weekend, the MLHU reported 38 new cases Saturday and 37 on Sunday, making Monday the fourth day in a row of high case counts (over 35) not seen in mid September. No new deaths were reported.
Middlesex-London now has a total of 15,088 cases and 252 related deaths, with 14,581 cases resolved leaving 255 active. The seven-day moving average climbed to 30.4 Monday. It had been below 20 at the beginning of the month.
Of the cases with an episode date in the past six weeks, 47.1 per cent are among the unvaccinated, partially vaccinated or those not yet protected by the vaccine. The same group also accounts for 50 per cent of hospitalizations and 71.4 per cent of deaths.
Acting Medical Officer of Health Dr. Alex Summers said the increase in cases among fully vaccinated individuals is to be expected.
"That's anticipated because at this point, a majority, a vast majority of our population is vaccinated. The rate of COVID-19 remains higher among unvaccinated individuals. And the rates of hospitalization and death are notably, pronouncedly, are higher in unvaccinated individuals."
The region also has its first likely cases of the Omicron variant, linked to a cluster of at least 30 cases connected to travellers who arrived from Nigeria in late November.
Summers continues to encourage vaccination as the best protection.
"By getting vaccinated you still greatly reduce your risk of COVID-19 and even if you are infected, your symptoms will be notably less severe and you will be less likely to transmit it to others, and that's true even with the Omicron variant. Although we're still trying to get more information on this variant, it is still of course very new to us."
The London Health Sciences Centre says it is caring for 12 inpatients with COVID-19, one fewer since Friday, while there are fewer than five cases in in adult Critical Care.
Over the weekend, school outbreaks have been declared at Blessed Sacrament Catholic School, St. Marguerite d'Youville School, St. Mary Choir & Orchestra Catholic School, Tecumseh Public School and West Oaks French Immersion Public School.
Active outbreaks also continue at Western University's Saugeen-Maitland Hall and Fanshawe College's Merlin House Residence.
Meanwhile SWPH is reporting 85 new cases over three days in Elgin and Oxford counties. Currently, 12 patients are in hospital, with four in Critical Care.
The majority of active cases are in St. Thomas, which has 55 active cases, followed by Tillsonburg with 38 and Woodstock with 32.
An outbreak at Caressant Care Bonnie Place in St. Thomas continues with 11 cases to date.
Five schools in the region are in outbreak including; St. Joseph's Catholic School and Glendale High School, both in Tillsonburg, Pierre Elliott Trudeau French Immersion Public School in St. Thomas, Woodstock Christian School and Immanuel Christian School in Aylmer.
REGIONAL COVID-19 COUNTS
Here are the most recently available numbers from other local public health authorities:
- Elgin-Oxford – 85 new (three-day total), 202 active, 5,523 total, 5,220 resolved, 101 deaths (one new)
- Grey-Bruce – four new, 53 active, 2,578 total, 2,498 resolved, 23 deaths
- Haldimand-Norfolk – one new, 115 active, 3,543 total, 3,363 resolved, 57 deaths
- Huron-Perth – 28 new, 76 active, 2,614 total, 2,468 resolved, 70 deaths
- Sarnia-Lambton – 61 active, 4,434 total, 4,295 resolved, 78 deaths
Ontario health officials reported 887 new COVID-19 cases across the province Monday and three additional deaths.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Body of Quebec man who died in Cuba found in Russia, family confirms
A Montreal-area family confirmed to CTV News that the body of their loved one who died while on vacation in Cuba is being repatriated to Canada after it was mistakenly sent to Russia.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
Saskatchewan isn't remitting the carbon tax on home heating. Why isn't my province following suit?
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
RCMP officers had no legal authority to enter man's home, make arrest: B.C. court
A B.C. man has been found not guilty of assaulting two RCMP officers – with the court finding he was resisting an "unlawful entry and arrest" in his home before he was tasered, taken down and hauled away in handcuffs.
'Deep ignorance': Calls for Manitoba trustee to resign sparked after comments about Indigenous people and reconciliation
A rural Manitoba school trustee is facing calls to resign over comments he made about Indigenous people and residential schools earlier this week.