MLHU marks fifth day with multiple COVID-19-related deaths
The Middlesex-London Health Unit (MLHU) is reporting three new deaths linked to COVID-19, the fifth day in a row of multiple deaths.
The new deaths bring the region's total to 313, and the total for February so far to 13. There were 46 deaths in January, the second-highest monthly total since the start of the pandemic. The highest, 71, was January 2021.
Friday's deaths include a man in his 50s not associated with a seniors' facility, and two more men in their 80s and 90s associated with a long-term care home.
Acting Medical Officer of Health Dr. Alex Summers said Thursday the deaths should start to decline soon.
"We will see a decline in the number of deaths as the case counts come down, and so certainly the trends of the last few weeks are encouraging, not just for where we're heading broadly but also where we're heading in the number of deaths we will see."
He added that rates of COVID-19 in the community remain higher than any other time during the pandemic, and encouraged people to get vaccinated, keep social circles small, wear a mask and stay home if sick.
The London Health Sciences Center (LHSC) reports it is currently caring for 138 inpatients with COVID-19, down one in the last 24 hours. There are 26 patients in the Intensive Care Unit, five or fewer at Children's Hospital and the same number in pediatric Critical Care.
Of those with COVID-19 at LHSC, 86 are being treated for COVID-19 while 52 are being treated for other issues but have also tested positive.
The number of COVID-positive staff is down to 169 from 192 on Thursday. There are five active outbreaks at LHSC after one in University Hospital's 8-AC Unit was declared over.
At St. Joseph's Health Care, the number of workers who are positive has dropped by eight to 69, while the number of positive patients/residents has declined to six from 13. An outbreak at Parkwood Institute is ongoing.
REGIONAL COVID-19 COUNTS
Here are the most recently available lab-confirmed COVID-19 case counts from local public health authorities, though officials say testing eligibility rules make these an underestimate of actual cases:
- Middlesex-London – 122 new, 1,670 active, 29,792 total, 27,809 resolved, 313 deaths (three new)
- Elgin-Oxford – 146 new (two-day total), 605 active, 10,444 total, 9,697 resolved, 142 deaths (two new)
- Grey-Bruce – 69 new, 197 active, 5,640 total, 5,404 resolved, 34 deaths
- Huron-Perth – 63 new, 5,190 total, 86 deaths
- Sarnia-Lambton – 69 new, 291 active, 9,031 total, 8,629 resolved, 111 deaths (one new)
Ontario health officials are reporting a total of 2,634 people in hospital with COVID-19, including 517 in Intensive Care Units.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW AI helping to identify undiagnosed genetic disorders in children
Researchers have developed the world's first algorithm powered by artificial intelligence to identify children with undiagnosed rare genetic disorders.
Robert Pickton to remain in medically induced coma until later this week: police
Serial killer Robert Pickton will remain in a medically induced coma for at least the next few days following an attack in a Quebec prison Sunday, according to police spokesperson Hugues Beaulieu.
Charlie Colin, founding member of the pop-rock band Train, dies at 58
Charlie Colin, bassist and founding member of the American pop-rock band Train, best known for their early-aughts hits like 'Drops of Jupiter' and 'Meet Virginia,' has died. He was 58.
'Five feet nothing': Pickton's safety likely behind Quebec transfer, says ex-prison judge
When serial killer Robert Pickton was transferred from British Columbia's Kent Institution to a maximum security prison in Quebec about six years ago, correctional authorities gave no public explanation or confirmation at the time, citing privacy.
'I feel betrayed': Ottawa-area customers out thousands of dollars warn of bad faith contractor
A group of people from eastern Ontario and western Quebec is issuing a warning about Dennis Walker and his company Vue Windows.
Fancy pigeon outfitted in custom diaper has free rein in B.C. family home
When Chrissy Chin volunteered to take in a fancy pigeon abandoned on a park bench, she never imagined she would one day be ordering custom-made diapers for the bird – who lives in her house and has become a member of the family.
'We'll need all hands on deck': Details emerge after deadly boat crash near Kingston
Police say they have wrapped up their on-scene investigation into a deadly boat crash in eastern Ontario as details of the incident begin to emerge.
WestJet planning new fare category for travellers willing to forgo carry-on bag
WestJet Airlines plans to launch a new cheaper fare category that would be available to travellers willing to fly without a carry-on bag.
5 dead and at least 35 hurt in Iowa tornado: officials
Five people died and at least 35 were hurt as powerful tornadoes ripped through Iowa Tuesday, with one carving a path of destruction through the town of Greenfield, officials said.