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
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.